Identifying Cigarette Beetles in Florida
Cigarette beetles (Lasioderma serricorne) are small, light brown beetles commonly found in Florida homes. Often referred to as cigar beetles, they measure about 1/10 inch in length and have an oval-shaped body covered in fine hairs, giving them a fuzzy appearance. While they are sometimes mistaken for other brown beetles in Florida, their rounded shape and distinctive hump-backed profile set them apart. Take a look at our Florida beetle identification page if you are unsure which type of beetles you are dealing with.
It is an important pest of tobacco, and its eggs are laid in the folds of newly harvested, baled, or bundled leaves in storage but never on live plants in the field. Five or six generations per year may occur in warm localities; in the U.S., three generations can occur yearly. They can also be found in food storage areas and are known to chew through books, manuscripts, furniture fabrics, and other organic materials.
Although their name reflects their preference for dried tobacco products, cigarette beetles will feed on a variety of stored foods, making them a frequent household pest.
Where in Florida Do Cigarette Beetles Live?
Cigarette beetle adults are strong fliers and will fly on late afternoons and dull, cloudy days. These beetles are active year-round and will infest storage areas or warehouses containing dried tobacco. In the country’s southern parts, cigarette beetles may fly to homes from nearby warehouses and cause a re-infestation. They will also invade homes to feed on cereal, flour, and other stored products that are a staple of most pantries.
How Common Are Cigarette Beetles in Florida?
Cigarette beetles are common in Florida, especially in homes and businesses that store food products. Florida’s warm climate provides the ideal conditions for these pests to reproduce and thrive. Because they can feed on such a wide variety of items, from pet food to spices, infestations can spread quickly before homeowners or business owners realize a problem.
Are Cigarette Beetles Dangerous?
Cigarette beetles are not considered harmful to humans or pets. Their habit of infesting people’s food and pet food makes them a nuisance pest. This cosmopolitan species will infest dried vegetable materials, including tobacco, wherever they are stored, and it is the most destructive pest in stored tobacco. It is also a very serious pest of books, where it may cause injury to the binding and the leaves. If an infestation is suspected in homes, the focus will be on finding and discarding infested materials. It is particularly important to check spices, pet food, and old rodent bait.
If you are dealing with a cigarette beetle problem, contact your local beetle exterminators for help.
Need help with Cigarette Beetle control?
Cigarette Beetle Control Specialists in Florida
Professional beetle control is often the most effective solution if you’re dealing with a cigarette beetle infestation. Bug Out Florida provides expert beetle pest control services tailored to remove cigarette beetles and prevent their return. Our team will thoroughly inspect your home, pinpointing the source of the infestation and identifying all the places where beetles may be hiding.
Once we’ve located the problem, we’ll use safe and effective treatments to eliminate cigarette beetles from your home. Whether you have a small infestation or a larger problem, our beetle control experts are here to protect your home.
FAQs
Why are there cigarette beetles in my house?
Cigarette beetles are often brought into homes through infected food products. They can lay eggs in a wide range of dried goods, such as flour, cereal, spices, and even dried flowers. Once they infest these products, the beetles may spread to other areas of the home.
Cigarette beetles are also drawn to homes where food is not stored properly, allowing them to access and contaminate food sources. If you’ve noticed brown beetles in Florida crawling around your pantry or kitchen, they’ve likely entered through small cracks, windows, or food items already infested when brought into the house.
What kills cigarette beetles?
Getting rid of cigarette beetles typically requires removing infested food products and using targeted pest control treatments. We offer professional beetle control solutions that eliminate cigarette beetles at all stages of their lifecycle, from eggs to adults.
We also recommend sealing food in airtight containers and cleaning pantry shelves to remove any remaining larvae or eggs.
If the infestation is severe, insecticides or other safe indoor treatments may be necessary. However, prevention is key, so always store food properly to reduce the risk of re-infestation.
What temperature kills cigarette beetles?
Cigarette bugs are susceptible to extreme temperatures. For at least four days, freezing temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) can kill adult beetles and their eggs. Similarly, exposing infested items to heat above 140°F (60°C) for about an hour can eliminate pests.
If you suspect food is infested, freezing can be a good way to kill the beetles without using chemicals. However, discarding heavily infested products is often best to prevent the beetles from spreading further.
