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What Are Cigarette Beetles?
Known for their humped appearance that is due to their head being bent downward at a right angle, cigarette beetles are a species of stored product pests. These pests are oval shaped and can be red, yellow, or brown.
Cigarette beetles are winged, and despite their small size (adults are about 1/10th of an inch in length), they are surprisingly strong fliers.
Cigarette beetle larvae are white to yellow, have dark brown heads, and have bodies that are similar in appearance to a grub.
These pests get their name from their tendency to infest stored tobacco products. They are also known as tobacco beetles.
Are Cigarette Beetles Dangerous?
Cigarette beetles are not considered to be a dangerous pest. They are referred to as nuisance pests because they aren’t known for transmitting diseases to people. They also don’t bite or sting.
Cigarette beetles lay their eggs in dried goods like flour, cereal, dried flowers, tobacco products, and dried pasta, which causes those items to become contaminated. Food that is contaminated by cigarette beetles should be discarded. Along with causing problems with food items in homes, cigarette beetles can cause major problems inside food processing facilities and grocery stores.
What Causes Cigarette Beetles?
Cigarette beetles often enter homes inside products that are already infested with larvae or eggs that have been bought from grocery stores. Adult cigarette beetles can also enter homes through gaps found around windows and doors as these beetles search for food sources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get Rid Of Cigarette Beetles Myself?
We do not recommend using DIY pest control products to get rid of cigarette beetles in your home, especially because cigarette beetles invade kitchen and pantry areas. Pest control products found at hardware stores are not only often ineffective, but they can be very dangerous to use if not mixed or placed properly. These products should never be used in close proximity to food.
The best way to safely get rid of cigarette beetles and to prevent a re-infestation is to get help from a professional pest control expert. If cigarette beetles have infested your home’s kitchen or pantry, contact the experts at All-American Pest Control today.
How Do I Prevent A Cigarette Beetle Infestation?
Along with putting in place a year-round pest control program from the pest control experts at All-American Pest, the following prevention tips can help to prevent problems with cigarette beetles in your home:
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Caulk any spaces found around exterior windows and doors to help stop adults from entering your home.
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Make sure that screens found in windows and doors are completely intact.
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When purchasing dry goods from a store, inspect the packaging to ensure that there are no holes or rips.
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When you get dry goods home, remove them from their original packaging and place them in plastic or glass containers that have tight-fitting lids.
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Routinely clean out your pantry and cabinets, cleaning up any crumbs and getting rid of older or expired dry goods.
To get started protecting your home from cigarette beetles and many other household pests, call us at All-American and schedule your free home evaluation!
Why Should I Choose All-American Pest Control?
With over 60 years of experience, we know the time, effort, and patience it takes to solve any pest problem, including problems with stored product pests like cigarette beetles. With All-American Pest Control, you’ll receive quality services, thorough treatments, and a commitment to solving your pest problem from our trained, friendly experts.
At All-American, we believe pest control should be accessible to every home. Our Perimeter Plus plan provides coverage for over 47 of the most common pests in Middle Tennessee, including cigarette beetles. This quarterly service provides year-round protection for your home.
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