Plant & Pest Diagnostics

Cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne)

As the common name suggests, the cigarette beetle is an important pest of stored tobacco. It is a common kitchen pest as well and is known to feed on almost anything including cottonseed meal, rice, pepper, paprika, crude drugs, seeds, dried plants and even books, and other processed cereal products. It is also known to breed in animal matter such as dead insects, dried fish and fishmeal, animal meal, and probably the remains of dead animals. Adult beetles live 2 to 4 weeks, and during this time, each female may lay as many as 100 eggs. Under favorable conditions, 6 to 8 weeks is required to develop from an egg to adult.

Check all opened packages of flour, noodles, cereal, and even dogfood, birdseed and spices for beetles, larvae (small, white grubs). Discard any found to be contaminated. Next, thoroughly scrub cupboards and kitchen area with strong detergent. Inspect behind and under appliances for spilled flour or other foods, which can harbor these insects and remove up if any are found. Once the area is clean, any household insecticide can be applied, if you so desire, to kill those missed by the clean-up. These insects may be originating in wall voids where dead insects accumulate. In this case, it may be necessary to drill a hole in the wall near the floor and spray the wall void with a persistent insecticide registered for in-home use to kill the beetles.

Be sure to read and follow all instructions and safety precautions found on the label before using any pesticide.