Drugstore Beetle

Drugstore Beetle: Identification, Pantry Risks & Control

By the Clark Pest Entomology Team | Last Updated: December 3, 2025

Key Takeaways

Drugstore Beetles (also called Bread Beetles) are pantry pests that infest stored food. They are famous for eating almost anything, including spices, flour, leather, and even prescription drugs (hence the name). They look nearly identical to Cigarette Beetles. Control requires finding the infested package and discarding it.

Quick answer: If you find small, reddish-brown beetles in your pantry or kitchen, check your spices and flour immediately. Drugstore Beetles (Stegobium paniceum) are master scavengers. They bore into food packaging, laying eggs inside. If you see adults flying near a window, the source is likely a contaminated box in your cupboard.

Drugstore Beetle vs. Cigarette Beetle: The Difference

These two "humpbacked" beetles look almost exactly alike to the naked eye. The difference lies in their antennae and wing covers.

Drugstore Beetle (Grooved Wings)

Drugstore Beetle: Wings have distinct rows of pits (grooves). Antennae end in a 3-segment "club."

Photo: Sarefo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Cigarette Beetle (Smooth Wings)

Cigarette Beetle: Wings are smooth (no grooves). Antennae are serrated like a saw blade (no club).

Photo: Udo Schmidt via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

What Do They Eat? (It's Not Just Drugs)

While they got their name from infesting pharmacy herbs, they are equal-opportunity eaters. Their diet includes:

  • Spices: Red pepper, paprika, and chili powder are favorites.
  • Grains: Flour, cereal, pasta, and bread.
  • Non-Food Items: Wool, leather, horns, books, and hair.
  • Toxins: Uniquely, they can eat poisonous substances like strychnine and belladonna.


Watch: Drugstore Beetle Identification

Learn how to identify this "humpbacked" pest and where to look for them in your kitchen. Video by Degesch America (Educational).

Video: Degesch America

How to Get Rid of Them (7 Steps)

Sanitation is the only permanent cure. Spraying the adults won't help if the larvae are still eating your flour.

  1. Find the Source: Inspect every box in your pantry. Look for tiny "shot holes" in packaging.
  2. Discard Everything: Throw away any infested items immediately in an outdoor trash can.
  3. Freeze Suspects: If you want to save an item (like a bird seed bag), freeze it for 6 days to kill eggs.
  4. Vacuum: Vacuum shelves thoroughly to remove flour dust and eggs hiding in cracks.
  5. Use Containers: Transfer all grains, spices, and cereals into hard plastic or glass containers. Beetles can chew through cardboard.
  6. Check Pet Food: Dry dog and cat food is a major breeding ground. Keep it sealed.
  7. Professional Treatment: If they persist after cleaning, they may be living in wall voids or under cabinets. Professional crack-and-crevice treatment is required.

Clark's Expert Insight

"Don't just look in the pantry! Drugstore Beetles are famous for infesting things you forget about—like that bag of dry dog food in the garage, the old box of rat bait (yes, they eat poison), or even dried flower arrangements in the living room."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do drugstore beetles bite? ▶
No. Drugstore beetles do not bite or sting humans or pets. They are purely a pantry pest that contaminates food and damages organic materials like books and leather.
Are they harmful to eat? ▶
Technically, no, they are not poisonous if accidentally ingested. However, they contaminate food with their bodies, larvae, and waste, which promotes mold growth. Any infested food should be discarded.
Why are they flying in my house? ▶
Adult Drugstore Beetles are strong fliers and are attracted to light. If you see them buzzing around a kitchen window or light fixture, it usually means they have hatched from a food source nearby and are looking for a mate.

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Can't Find the Source?

If you've cleaned the pantry but the beetles keep coming back, they might be hiding in wall voids or unusual places. Clark Pest Control can track them down.


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