Drugstore Beetle
Both cigarette and drugstore beetles infest a wide variety of foods, especially dried plant and animal products. In addition to being common stored-product pests, these beetles also become a homeowner nuisance by flying on windows and doors in heavy populations. Cigarette beetles may feed on pyrethrum powder strong enough to kill cockroaches, and drugstore beetles often feed on poisonous rodent baits containing strychnine. They also may chew through furniture fabric, books, manuscripts, and similar materials. They do not bite or sting humans or pets, spread disease, or feed on or damage the house.
IDENTIFICATION
Adult cigarette beetles are yellowish- to reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and about 2.5-mm long. The head is bent downward sharply, nearly at right angles to the body, giving a humpbacked appearance when viewed from the side. The wing covers are smooth, and the antennal segments are uniform and saw-like. Adult drugstore beetles are reddish-brown, more elongated, and about 2.5-mm long. The head is deflexed, but does not result in a distinct humpbacked appearance. The wing covers have faint lines running lengthwise, and the antennae have three enlarged segments at the tip. Eggs of both beetles are pearly white, and are not easily seen with the naked eye. When fully grown, both beetle larvae are C-shaped and about 4.7-mm long. Cigarette beetle larvae are creamy white and covered with long, yellowish-brown hairs. They have a brown head and legs. Drugstore beetle larvae are similar but do not have the fuzzy appearance.
LIFE CYCLE & HABITS
Cigarette beetles commonly infest dried tobacco and tobacco products – hence their name. They also infest raisins, figs, dates, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, chilli powder, curry powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, yeast, drugs, legume seeds, barley, cornmeal, flour, soybean meal, sunflower meal, wheat, wheat bran, rice meal, beans, cereals, fish meal, peanuts, dry yeast, dried flowers, leather, woollen cloth, and bamboo. They also may damage the leaves and bindings of books when feeding on the paste, or overstuffed furniture when infesting the straw, hair, etc.
True to their name, drugstore beetles feed on many drugs in the pharmacy, such as laxative teas and even strychnine. They also infest almonds, peanuts, paprika, red pepper, alfalfa meal, cornmeal, flour, milo, wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ, dry dog and cat food, bread, birdseed, beans, coffee beans, fish meal, spaghetti, instant chocolate, powdered milk, books, manuscripts, dried flowers, certain fillers and fabric coverings of furniture, leather, museum specimens, and other foodstuffs.
CONTROL MEASURES
The simplest and most effective control measure is to locate the source of infestation and quickly get rid of it. Use a flashlight or other light source to examine all food storage areas and food products carefully. Dispose of heavily infested foods in wrapped, heavy plastic bags or in sealed containers for garbage disposal service, or bury deep in the soil if practical and regulations allow. If the infestation is detected early, you may solve the problem.
At the time of purchase, carefully examine foods such as pancake flour, flour, cornmeal, raisins, dry dog and cat food, old tobacco, ginger, dates, red pepper, rice, and macaroni. Check the packaging date to establish freshness. Examine broken and damaged packages and boxes to avoid bringing these stored-product pests accidentally into the home. Purchase seldom-used foods in small quantities to prevent storage periods of one month or more, especially during the warm summer months. Store susceptible foods in insect-proof containers of glass, heavy plastic, or metal, ideally with screw-type lids, or store in a refrigerator or freezer. Use older packages before new ones, avoid spillage in cabinets, and always keep food-storage spaces clean. Properly ventilate the storage area to discourage these moisture-loving pests.
Lightly infested or suspect foods with questionable infestations can be heated in a shallow pan in the oven at 48 degrees C for 1 hour or at 54 degrees C for 30 minutes; placed in a deep freeze at -17 degrees C for 4 hours; or heated in a microwave oven for 5 minutes. Heat-treat dried fruits or vegetables by placing in a cheesecloth bag and dipping in boiling water for 6 to 10 seconds. Seeds saved for planting may have the germination reduced by super-heating or cooling. Sifting the food material will remove possible insect fragments, and any remaining will not cause harm if consumed. After insects are killed, contaminated food might be used outdoors during the winter months for bird feed.
Careful sanitation is the best method to avoid stored-product pests. After removing all food, food packages, utensils, dishes, etc. from the cupboard, shelves, or storage area, use a strong suction vacuum cleaner with proper attachments to clean all spilled foods (cornmeal, toaster crumbs, bits of pet food, raisins, etc.) from the cracks and crevices behind and under appliances and furniture. Pull out heavy appliances from the wall and scrub with soap and hot water. The ability of these insects to find a small amount of food is amazing. After shelves are thoroughly dry, cover with clean, fresh paper or foil before replacing with food or cooking utensils.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
HYG-2083-97
William F. Lyon
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
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