You reach for the box of pasta you swore you just bought, only to find tiny holes chewed through the cardboard and a few reddish-brown beetles crawling inside.
If you’ve ever spotted one of these unwelcome guests in your pantry, you’re likely dealing with a drugstore beetle infestation. Also known as bread beetles or biscuit beetles, they can quickly turn your food storage into a buffet.
This article walks you through exactly how to get rid of them, and how to keep them from coming back.
Key Takeaways
• Drugstore beetles chew through packaging and infest dry food, pet food, and bird seed in your pantry.
• You must discard infested food, deep clean storage areas, and check non-food spots like spice drawers and cabinets.
• Long-term prevention includes freezing dry goods, using airtight containers, reducing humidity, and sealing up cracks.
• If beetles return after cleaning, a professional pest control service can inspect, treat, and prevent future infestations.
Identify All Infected Food Sources
Start by checking every food item in your pantry. Drugstore beetles can chew through cardboard, paper, and even thin plastic containers. That means nothing is safe, not even unopened foodstuffs.
You’ll often find beetle larvae, which look like tiny grubs, nestled inside packages of flour, dried food, or cereal. If you see adults, assume there are more hiding in nearby food storage areas.
It’s also a good idea to check for cigarette beetles, which are similar in appearance and behavior. While they’re technically different types of beetles, they often show up in the same kinds of environments.
Throw Out Contaminated Food Items Immediately
Any infected food needs to be tossed, no exceptions.
Bag it up and take it outside right away. Don’t keep it in your kitchen trash, or the larvae may crawl out and pupate in hidden spots.
This is especially important if you’re dealing with a larger infestation or if beetles have gotten into pet food or bird seed, which often sits undisturbed for long periods.
Clean and Vacuum All Crevices and Food Storage Areas
Beetles and beetle larvae love tight spaces. That means you need to vacuum every shelf, crack, and corner, especially crevices in wooden shelves and the corners of cabinets. Use a small nozzle to get into hard-to-reach areas.
After vacuuming, scrub down all surfaces with hot, soapy water. This helps remove food particles and beetle cocoons that are stuck to surfaces.
Don’t Forget Non-Food Areas
We’ve seen drugstore beetles pop up in spice drawers, behind wall outlets, and even in medicine cabinets. It’s not just about food. It’s about any dry organic matter. Make sure to inspect storage bins holding food products like pet kibble or bird seed.
Even cardboard boxes in the garage can harbor beetles if they contain traces of food.
Set Traps to Track Remaining Beetles
Once everything is cleaned, set out pheromone traps to catch lingering adult drugstore beetles. These traps contain scents that mimic their’ natural mating signals and help draw them in. Sticky traps can also be placed in nearby rooms to track movement and see if they are spreading beyond the pantry.
Traps aren’t a standalone fix, but they’re great for tracking the effectiveness of your diy pest management efforts.
Prevent Future Drugstore Beetle Infestations
If you’ve already dealt with a drugstore beetle infestation, the last thing you want is for it to come back. Preventing future issues comes down to a few smart habits and adjustments around your pantry.
Here are the most effective ways to keep drugstore beetles and other pantry pests from making themselves at home again:
Store Food in Airtight Containers
One of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent pantry pests is to store food in airtight containers. Replace paper and cardboard packaging with heavy-duty plastic containers, glass jars, or metal tins.
This makes it much harder for drugstore beetles to chew their way in and lay eggs.
Freeze-Dried Goods Before Storing
When you bring home dry goods like flour or rice, freeze them for 4–5 days. This kills any beetle eggs or larvae hiding inside. It’s a simple way to break the beetle life cycle before it starts.
This tactic is especially important for folks living in warmer climates like South Louisiana, where these pests thrive year-round.
Rotate Food Sources and Avoid Long-Term Storage
Don’t let old food sit around.
Drugstore beetles thrive on forgotten packages and expired food items. Always use older items first, and avoid overstocking shelves with food you won’t use soon.
If you’re prepping emergency supplies, make sure they’re sealed tight and checked regularly.
Keep Pantry Humidity Low
Beetle eggs and grubs develop faster in humid environments. Use a dehumidifier or moisture-absorbing packets to keep the pantry dry.
This makes your pantry less inviting to beetles and other pests like carpet beetles or even cockroaches.
Seal Cracks, Crevices, and Wall Voids
Drugstore beetles can crawl through surprisingly small gaps.
If you’re seeing them in multiple rooms, they may be traveling through wall voids or electrical outlets. Use caulk or foam sealant to block off these potential escape routes and limit the spread of beetles.
Book Your Beetle Solution Today
Sometimes DIY pest control just isn’t enough, especially if you’re seeing beetles weeks after cleaning or if the infestation keeps spreading. In these cases, calling a licensed exterminator your most effective option.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we don’t just spray and leave. Our team takes a full-scale approach:
• We inspect all food storage areas for beetle activity.
• We treat infested crevices and cracks where beetle larvae may pupate.
• We use materials that are safe for homes with kids and pets.
• We offer follow-up visits with every pest control service to ensure lasting results.
Our treatments are fast, effective, and backed by our retreat guarantee. We also offer same-day service for homes in places like New Orleans, Thibodaux, and Baton Rouge.
Call us or book online for expert pest management, done the LaJaunie’s way.
