Cigarette Beetles

What are cigarette beetles?

Like the drugstore beetle, the cigarette beetle is a common pantry pest that occurs in our region and is most common in the fall and winter months.  As its name implies, the cigarette beetle is a pest of dried tobacco but it also feeds on book bindings and stored products commonly found in homes. They are considered a nuisance pest when they congregate by windows and doors in large numbers.  An adult cigarette beetle is yellowish to reddish-brown in color and is about 1/10 inch long.  Oval in shape, this pest appears hunchbacked because its head is bent downward.  A female cigarette beetle can lay up to 100 eggs on the food products from which the larvae will feed.  Slightly smaller than the adult beetle, larvae are creamy white in color and have a wormlike shape.  The development time from egg to adult is six to eight weeks and adults live two to four weeks.  The larvae feed on a variety of pet foods, dried and processed foods such as grain, pasta, raisins, rice, seeds, and even cockroach poison.  In addition to food products, cigarette beetles will sometimes feed on furniture stuffing and dried floral arrangements.  The prefer temperatures over 65 degrees Fahrenheit and low-lit areas.  Cigarette beetles appear similar to drugstore beetles with two exceptions: 1) the cigarette beetle has serrated antennae, whereas the drugstore beetle’s antennae are smooth and end in a 3-segmented club, and 2) the wing covers of the cigarette beetle are smooth, whereas the drugstore beetle’s wings have a lined, striated appearance.

Why do I have them?

Cigarette beetles are active all year long and will infest areas where dried tobacco is stored as well as invade homes to feed on cereal, flour and other stored products that are a staple of most pantries. 

Are they dangerous?

Cigarette beetles are not considered harmful to humans or pets.  Their habit of infesting people and pet food make them a nuisance pest.

How do I get rid of cigarette beetles?

Because of their ability to infest a variety of food products, cigarette beetles are difficult to control.  Call in American Pest to take control of the situation.

Can I do it myself?

Controlling pantry pests can be a tedious task because the source of the infestation may be difficult to find.  Food products, including dried pet food, must be examined carefully for signs of infestation and should be stored in tightly sealed containers.  Infested food or floral arrangements should be discarded.  Freezing susceptible food items can prevent infestation as well as kill cigarette beetles that have infested food products.  Since cigarette beetles may be found in other areas of the home as well, an American Pest professional will locate less obvious infestation sources and treat the area(s) with the appropriate products.

How soon can you get here?

At American Pest we pride ourselves on our speed and delivery of service. For that reason we will make every effort to be with you the same or very next day.

Is the treatment safe?

Your health and safety is our number one priority. That’s why we only use products that have been registered by the EPA for pest control use. American Pest voluntarily supports the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) and is recognized as a champion within our industry.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Careful sanitation is helpful in avoiding pantry pests.  Inspecting food items before bringing them home from the store can also help prevent cigarette beetle infestations.