Food stores and materials Stored-product pest Beetle

Drugstore beetle

Stegobium paniceum

Drugstore beetle
Photo source: Udo Schmidt from Deutschland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped

Description

The drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum) is a small, cylindrical, reddish-brown beetle measuring 2–3.5 mm. It attacks a wide range of stored dry goods: flour, dry bread, biscuits, pasta, spices, pet food and even paper and herbal products.

The larvae tunnel inside products, while the adults fly and often head towards windows. It is a common pest in pantries, warehouses and food businesses.

Key characteristics

Size

2–3.5 mm

Colour

Reddish-brown, cylindrical

Attacks

Flour, biscuits, spices, pasta, animal feed

Larvae

Tunnel through products

Adults

Fly, attracted to light

Risks and spread

The drugstore beetle contaminates dry goods and makes them unusable, causing damage mainly in pantries, warehouses and food businesses.

  • Damaged supplies — Contaminates flour, baked goods and dry products, making them unusable.
  • Spread — Can spread from one infested packet throughout the pantry.
  • Food businesses — A significant hygiene compliance issue for businesses handling food.

Prevention

  1. 1

    Store food supplies in airtight containers

  2. 2

    Rotate stock (first in, first out)

  3. 3

    Clean shelves, cracks and residues in pantries

  4. 4

    Discard infested packets immediately

Our intervention

TIsistemo identifies the source, clears the infestation and sets up monitoring to protect stored goods and warehouses.

  • Identifying the source Finding infested packets and areas where the infestation develops.
  • Clearance Removing infested products and thoroughly cleaning the area.
  • Targeted treatment Specific treatments and pheromone traps where necessary.
  • Monitoring Regular checks to prevent new infestations.

Got a problem? Call us now.

Rapid response across Canton Ticino and Italian-speaking Graubünden. Free quote.

Or request a free quote online