Drug store beetles, also known as biscuit or bread beetles, are part of a class of pantry pests widely known for the destruction of processed and packaged goods. These tiny brown beetles, about 1/10-1/7 inch long in size, have an array of interesting features:
1. They are packed with B vitamins.
Literally. The beetles are known to harbor symbiotic yeasts that produce B vitamins. The yeasts are deposited onto eggs and consumed by larvae as they hatch, allowing young the capability to feed and survive on items of poor nutritional quality.
2. Their kids do a lot of damage.
It is the larvae – not the adults – that cause the majority of product damage. Females can lay up to 75 eggs at once in food or containers, which larvae tunnel through when grown.
3. They’ve got iron stomachs.
Drug store beetles can cause a great deal of monetary loss. They can infest a wide variety of products from pharmacological and herbal items to pasta, flour, animal food, and other packaged goods, bore through leather, books, foil, furniture – even museum specimens! They can even feed on Strychnine, a toxic herbal extract.
4. They’re escape artists.
Beetles are highly adept at chewing out of cardboard, foil, and plastic film to escape after the metamorphosis to adulthood (but less likely to eat into similar sealed containers).
5. But luckily, they don’t live very long.
Their short life cycle is typically less than 2 months, though it can survive up to 7 depending on weather and food.
Home or business fallen victim to drug store beetles? Contact Allison Pest Control today, your NJ pest control experts.