Description
Cigarette Beetles in Spokane, WA and Coeur d'Alene, ID
Cigarette beetles are a very common pest throughout the United States, and they are known for feeding on and destroying stored food products. These beetles often consume dried food items like flour, pet food, cereal, and even tobacco products – hence their name. While cigarette beetles are most famous for wreaking havoc in pantries, they also commonly chew through books, documents, and other paper products.
Cigarette Beetle Habitat
While cigarette beetles typically prefer damp or humid areas, they are found all over the world and will infest anywhere with an adequate food source. These beetles do not hibernate, so they can invade homes year-round. Infestations often spread quickly, as females are capable of laying over 30 eggs in a span of 3 weeks. Females generally lay their eggs directly on top of food, which allows larvae to feed immediately after hatching. Adult cigarette beetles are also strong fliers, so they can access difficult-to-reach areas.
Cigarette Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Though cigarette beetles are not known to be aggressive or dangerous to human health, they are known for spoiling large amounts of food products in a short period of time. These beetles will chew through everything, from tobacco products to dried food to books. By laying eggs on your food and chewing up your belongings, cigarette beetles can cause a significant amount of destruction quite quickly. That’s why we recommend contacting a professional beetle exterminator as soon as you see the signs of cigarette beetles in your home.
