Cigarette Beetle Identification & Prevention

A type of stored product pest, cigarette beetles feed on dried tobacco as well as a wide variety of dried food products. These beetles are oval in shape, and their head is bent at a downward angle- this makes them appear humpbacked. They have serrated antennae and wings. The larvae of the cigarette beetle are worm-like and are a creamy white color.

The biggest concern with cigarette beetles is the damage and contamination they cause to items inside of homes and businesses they have decided to invade. These beetles are not known for spreading pathogens that make people sick, but are a nuisance and should be eliminated by a professional as soon as they are discovered.

As their name suggests, cigarette beetles have the potential to be anywhere tobacco and other stored products are kept.

Adults may find their way inside on their own through spaces around windows and doors. Once inside, they lay their eggs in dry goods. After the larva hatch, they begin feeding on the dry goods they were laid on.

They are regularly introduced inside of homes from products purchased from the store that are already infested with their eggs or larvae.

Cigarette beetles prefer temperatures that are over 65 degrees and dark, low-lit areas. They hide out in dark crevices and less traveled areas, making discovering their presence difficult. Their ability to hide out of sight allows infestations to develop and makes eliminating them tricky.

Inside homes, grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, and food processing plants, larvae feed on a variety of things, including grains, dry pasta, seeds, dried fruit, and dry rice. They also infest and feed on the stuffing in upholstered furniture and dried flowers.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate cigarette beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned Elizabeth City pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from cigarette beetles, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• To help prevent adults from moving into your home, seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors. Make sure screens are intact.
• Don’t buy dry goods from the store that have holes or tears in the packaging.
• Store all your dry goods in airtight containers instead of their original packaging.
• Regularly inspect the pantry, getting rid of older or expired items.