The biscuit beetle (Stegobium paniceum), also known as the drugstore or bread beetle, is a small insect found globally in homes and food storage facilities. This species is known for infesting a wide array of dried goods and can become a significant nuisance.
Do Biscuit Beetles Bite?
Biscuit beetles do not bite people or animals. Their mouthparts are adapted for chewing dried food products, not for piercing skin or drawing blood. Their presence indicates a problem with stored food items, primarily causing contamination and damage to food supplies, not physical harm to individuals.
Identifying Biscuit Beetles
Adult biscuit beetles are small, 2 to 3.5 millimeters long, and reddish-brown. Their oval, cylindrical bodies often appear humped and are covered with fine, yellowish hairs. Distinguishing features include 11-segmented antennae with a three-segment club at the tip, and wing covers with longitudinal grooves.
Larvae are whitish, C-shaped grubs up to 5 millimeters long, covered in fine hairs, and found within infested food products. Adults prefer warm, undisturbed environments like pantries and kitchen cupboards.
Understanding Their Pest Status
Biscuit beetles are pests due to their feeding habits and rapid reproduction, leading to significant spoilage. They infest a broad spectrum of dried goods, including flour, cereals, pasta, spices, pet food, and even non-food items like books and dried flowers.
Larvae are particularly destructive, burrowing into and consuming food items. As they feed, they contaminate products with waste, including feces and shed skins, rendering food unfit for consumption.
These beetles can chew through packaging materials like cardboard, plastic, and even aluminum foil. A single female can lay up to 100 eggs, and under warm conditions, multiple generations can develop within a year, leading to quick population growth. Their extensive diet, ability to penetrate packaging, and fast reproductive cycles make them a persistent and costly pest for homeowners and businesses.
Managing Biscuit Beetle Presence
Effective management of biscuit beetle infestations involves both preventative measures and direct intervention.
Store all dried food items in airtight containers made of glass or sturdy plastic.
Regularly clean pantry shelves and cupboards, removing crumbs and spilled food.
Inspect packaging for damage before purchasing dry goods.
If an infestation is suspected, thoroughly inspect all susceptible pantry items, focusing on expiration dates and rarely used products.
Immediately discard any infested food items, sealed in a plastic bag, and remove from the home.
After removing infested items, thoroughly clean affected areas by vacuuming cracks, crevices, and corners, then dispose of vacuum bag contents outside.
For salvageable items, freezing them for at least seven days can kill all life stages.
For widespread or persistent infestations, consult a professional pest control service.