| Scientific name | Stegobium paniceum |
|---|---|
| Group | Beetles |
| Size | 2–3.5 mm (up to about 0.14 in) |
| Colors | Brown and Red |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Pantry or stored food and Kitchen |
| Most active | Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | No |
| Risk level | Nuisance |
How to identify it
The drugstore beetle is a tiny member of the beetles group. Hard wing covers that meet in a straight line down the back. Check for these three features:
- Oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves
- Head tucked down and hidden when seen from above
- Antennae end in a loose three-segment club
About this bug
A small, reddish-brown pantry beetle with rows of fine grooves along its wing covers. It infests dried foods, spices, pet food, and even books and medicines.
You'll usually find drugstore beetles in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen. They are most active in spring, summer, fall and winter.
Is it dangerous?
Drugstore beetles don't bite or spread disease, but they ruin stored food.
Our rating: Nuisance, meaning it is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people.
When you'll see drugstore beetles
Drugstore Beetles are most active in spring, summer, fall and winter. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings. In winter, activity continues mainly indoors in heated spaces.
Typical places to check: pantry or stored food and kitchen.
About beetles
The drugstore beetle is one of the beetles. Beetles go through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (grub), pupa and adult. The larval stage often does the most feeding and damage, and it can last from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. Adults protect their flight wings under hard wing covers called elytra, which is why most beetles look armored and meet in a neat line down the back.
Look closely at larvae as well as adults. Grubs in soil, fuzzy larvae in closets and small worms in flour are all beetle larvae, and finding them tells you where the problem is centered.
What to do about it
- Find and throw out the infested package, then check every dry good nearby
- Vacuum shelves and wipe them with soapy water
- Store new dry foods in airtight glass or hard plastic containers
Read the full guide: how to get rid of drugstore beetles.
Bugs that look similar
Signature feature: Drugstore Beetles: oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves. Cigarette Beetles: rounded, humped body with smooth, ungrooved wing covers.
Signature feature: Drugstore Beetles: oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves. Confused Flour Beetles: flat, elongated reddish-brown body.
Color: Drugstore Beetles are brown and red; varied carpet beetles are black, white, yellow and brown.
Frequently asked questions
What does a drugstore beetle look like?
Oval, reddish-brown body with lengthwise grooves. Adults measure 2–3.5 mm (up to about 0.14 in).
Does the drugstore beetle bite or sting?
It does not bite. It does not sting. Drugstore beetles don't bite or spread disease, but they ruin stored food.
Where do drugstore beetles live?
Drugstore Beetles live in pantries and stored food and in the kitchen.
When are drugstore beetles most active?
Mostly in spring, summer, fall and winter.