Cigarette Beetles: Tiny Pests That Infest Stored Products

Cigarette beetles (Lasioderma serricorne)—also called cigar or tobacco beetles—are 2–3 mm brown beetles with humped backs. They infest tobacco, grains, spices, dried flowers, books, and even pyrethrum powder.

Life Cycle and Signs

Females lay up to 100 eggs; larvae hatch in 10 days, feed for ~30 days, then pupate for ~2 weeks. Adults live about a month. Signs include adult beetles flying near packages, small exit holes in packaging, and debris (frass) spilling out.

Control Steps

• Discard all infested food items.
• Vacuum shelves and pantries thoroughly.
• Store dry goods in airtight glass or plastic containers.
• Contact a Brevard County pest control service—cigarette beetles are notoriously difficult to eradicate without professional fumigation or targeted treatments.

Early professional intervention prevents reinfestation and protects your pantry.