Cigarette beetles

Cigarette beetles or tobacco beetles are one of the most common types of beetles which invade our homes and our processed foods, they live also in tobacco stores areas, tobacco factories and tobacco products, many homeowners may complain from Cigarette beetles  infestation in their homes, Cigarette beetles also infest dried flour, seeds, grains, raisins, spices and pet food, also old furniture and plant materials, we will discuss some information about cigarette beetles and how to get rid of them.

 Cigarette beetles’ identification

Cigarette beetles’ length is about 3.5 mm, they have oval bodies with reddish brown color, Cigarette beetles have sharp antennae, larvae have a yellow to white color, their bodies are covered with long hair, they have three groups of strong legs.

Cigarette beetles feeding habits

Cigarette beetles feed mainly on tobacco, they also feed on vegetable or animal products, nuts, vegetables, immature fruits, boxes, folders, glue, fabrics, clothing, and leather.

Cigarette beetles Life cycle 

Cigarette beetles’ females lay about 100 oval-shaped eggs, they have white color, and place eggs in food bags or in dried tobacco, after 2-4 weeks, larvae come from eggs and search for food, then larvae create cocoons within few months and enter them, within 10 days, adult Cigarette beetles appear and may live for a month.

Why Cigarette beetles enter the house?

Cigarette beetles live near food storage areas, they enter houses from cracks and entry places to search for food like tobacco, spices, nuts, vegetables, fruits, paper, silk, leather and glue, females lay eggs in food bags or on tobacco, Carpet also live in tropical and sub-tropical areas, near cereal and food storage areas.

How dangerous are Cigarette beetles?

Adult cigarette beetles and larvae make holes in stored tobacco and contaminate it, they also damage boxes, papers, boxes, ropes, and cloth, so in severe infestations you will need a professional help such as our pest control company in Jeddah.

How to prevent cigarette beetles from invading homes?

• Get rid of unneeded items that you don’t use.
• Use a vacuum cleaner regularly to prevent Cigarette beetles from entering homes.
• Get rid of food residue on floors.
• Cover food containers so cigarette beetles not attracted to them.
• save tobacco products
• Get rid of food residue between cushions or on the floor
• Seal cracks and entry points to prevent Cigarette beetles from invading home.
• Clean ovens because cigarette beetles gather around them for warmth.
• Use coolers to prevent Cigarette beetles from entering homes, this types stop feeding below 18 degrees Celsius.
• Examine home carefully.
• examine dry pet food, spices and preserved flowers.
•  Get rid of infected products outside the home.
• Clean shelves with disinfectants and with soap and water.
• Freeze infected foods for six days to kill larvae and eggs.
• Keep pet food in sealed containers to prevent cigarette beetles.
• Examine your kitchen and food preservation rea from time to time, use old food first to reduce infestation.
• Call our experts at Pest Control Company in Jeddah to determine the type of insect in your home, degree of infestation, and how to eliminate them.