Bait packets thrown in corners of attic or crawl space can be a source years after placement. After the rodents leave or are controlled, the food in abandoned nests can be the source of a difficult-to-locate infestation. Rodents often hoard food, such as seed or dog food, in their nests. If your home has been previously infested with a mouse or rat, old rodent nests can be infested.Spices, potpourri, other dried plant material.Old school art projects involving beans, nuts or seeds.In addition to checking product bags, look in difficult to clean areas, where pet food or bird seed may have spilled. Pet foods are common sources of infestation.Check all stored food packages and potential food items listed above, and discard any infested food products that you find. The keys to managing an infestation of cigarette or drugstore beetles include good sanitation, early detection and locating and destroying infested materials. If you live outside of Texas, contact your local extension for management options. Management If you live in the State of Texas, contact your local county agent or entomologist for management information. Pupation occurs in loosely constructed pupal cells within the food source. Newly hatched larvae are very active and can enter food packaging through very small holes, including minute seams around lids of spice containers. The number of larval instars ranges from four to six. Development generally ceases below 59☏ and above 94☏. Optimal conditions for development are 70-80% RH, and temperatures between 68° and 86☏. The time needed to develop depends on the food source and other environmental conditions, but ranges from 26 to over 100 days (commonly, 30-50 days).

Life Cycleįemales lay up to 100 eggs over a 6-20 day period in crevices, folds, or depressions in their food. However, their larvae will stay close to a food source and they do not fly until they reach adult stage. Habitat & Hostsīoth of these beetles are attracted to light and are external feeders. Both species are among the most common stored product pests both in homes and in commercial food processing and distribution facilities, worldwide. Adults and larvae feed primarily on the outside of the grain, though they may also chew through the outer coat and devour the insides. On grains, these insects are classified as external feeders. Animal products such as dead insects, dried fish and fish meal, and leather may also be attacked. They feed on all kinds of plant material including tobacco, seeds, grain, nuts, beans, spices, cottonseed meal, dried fruits and vegetables, flour, spices, and dried herbarium specimens. These two species are among the most common stored product pests in Texas homes. When viewed from the side the angle at which the pronotum borders the elytra gives this beetle a humpbacked appearance. Compared to the cigarette beetle the body is thinner and pronotum is more pronounced.Ĭigarette beetles are 1/16 to 1/8 inch long and brown, the elytra is smooth with no grooves. Their antennae end with a loose, three-segmented club. they are brown, and their elytra have distinct rows of pits. The wing covers of cigarette beetles are very smooth, without distinct grooves and the antennal segments are sawlike, or serrate.ĭrugstore beetles are 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. The drugstore beetle’s wing covers possess distinct striae, or grooves, and its antennae are clubbed with three elongated and broadened segments at the tips. These beetles can be distinguished by the grooving on the wing covers and by their antennal shape. The femora of each hind leg retracts into a groove in hind coxa. A hood-like shield (prothorax) encloses and conceals the head when viewed from above. Adult beetles are rounded in profile, oval shaped, light-brown color, 1/16-1/8 inch-long. Photo: Pat Porter, Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionArticle author: Mike Merchant Most recently reviewed by: Pat Porter (2018) Common Name(s): Cigarette Beetle, Drugstore Beetle DescriptionĬigarette and drugstore beetles are often confused with one another.

Biscuit beetle fly