[Pest Profile] Cigarette Beetle

Description

The cigarette beetle is light brown and 1/16- to 1/8-inch long. Its head and the first body segment are bent downward. It has saw-like antennae and smooth wing covers. The larva is a 1/16- to 1/8-inch long "c-shaped" white grub that has a somewhat fuzzy appearance because it is covered with long hairs.

Biology

The adult female lays 30 to 42 eggs that hatch in about six to 10 days in or near food material. The larvae feed on these foods and can complete development in five to 10 weeks. They pupate for two to three weeks in silken cocoons. The entire life cycle requires 30 to 90 days. There are three to five generations per year. Adults usually live 23 to 28 days.

Habits

Cigarette beetles are major pests of stored tobacco, but they also commonly feed on all types of spices, books, upholstered furniture, dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, drugs, seeds, old rodent bait, and insecticides such as pyrethrum powder. The most frequently infested items in homes are dried dog food and paprika.

The adults are strong fliers and are more active in late afternoon and on cloudy days. They easily enter homes through open windows and doors and frequently are found along window sills. The presence of adults usually means the larvae are developing somewhere in the home.

Control

The first step in cigarette beetle control is to find all infested materials and remove or destroy these products. Prevent beetle entry by repairing screens, sealing exterior points and keeping exterior doors closed. Light traps can be used to monitor and control small populations of adult beetles.

Large numbers of adults are easily killed with aerosol applications. Liquid and dust formulations should be used to treat cracks, crevices and other voids in cabinets, shelves, pantries, and other locations where infestations are found. Applications should be made to ensure that all potential harborage areas are well treated. These treatments are supplementary to the elimination of infested material and should never be used as the sole means of control.