What Do Drugstore Beetles Eat?

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What Are Drugstore Beetles?

Drugstore beetles, also referred to as the bread beetle or biscuit beetle, are tiny brown beetles that can be found all over the world, but are more common in warmer climates. Drugstore beetles can be up to 3.5 millimeters in length, have antennae ending in 3-segmented clubs and has grooves that run longitudinally along the elytra. Drugstore beetles are often confused for cigarette beetles, however, cigarette beetles are slightly smaller, have serrated antennae and have a smooth elytra.

What Do Drugstore Beetles Eat?

Drugstore beetles eat a variety of different foods and are drawn to a wide variety of dried plant products. They also feed on a great variety of dried foods and spices, pet food, hair, leather, and books. Sometimes called the biscuit or bread beetle, this insect can also live on the crumbs of biscuits or bread.

Drugstore beetles have been given this name based on the fact that they have a distinct preference of dried herbs and other plant material that is sometimes used as pharmacological products. These beetles are great at getting though just about anything you might use to seal away your food from infestation including wood, tin, aluminum foil and lead sheets. 

How Big Of A Pest Are Drugstore Beetles?

If you own or operate a food manufacturing or distribution facility, drugstore beetles can be an enormous issue if there is an infestation. Any infestation in these kinds of facilities can cause devastating financial losses, ruin reputations and will definitely impact the ability to even operate the business. 

Drugstore beetles leave behind their excrement which can irritate the mouth, throat, and stomach if ingested. Any food that has been infested by drugstore beetles should be considered contaminated, removed from sale and discarded. 

In the home, drugstore beetles can damage and contaminate stored grains and seeds as well as any dried packaged food products. Any food that has been affected by drugstore beetles are unsafe to consume and must be thrown away. 

What Should I Do About Drugstore Beetles?

Due to the intense economic destruction drugstore beetles can do to even a small home pantry, if you have noticed drugstore beetles in your home, food storage space or facility, a pest control specialist should be called quickly. Drugstore beetles can bore through most materials, so preventative measures of keeping your stored food safe will not be particularly effective. The best method of getting rid of drugstore beetles is to call a knowledgable pest care professional to take care of your infestation for you. Call Pest Control Experts for a recommendation on the best beetle control specialist in your area.