Drugstore Beetle Facts & Information

Drugstore beetles are about 1/10 to 1/8 inch long, cylindrical, and light brown to red brown. Adult drugstore beetles are very active and can be identified by their rapid skittering movement. Their bodies are covered with fine, silky pubescence, and they have distinct grooves in their wing covers. Drugstore beetles have antenna that end in three enlarged segments.

Female drugstore beetles lay as many as 100 eggs or more at a time. The eggs are pearly white and difficult to see. They are deposited in a suitable food source and typically hatch after about 10 days. The newly hatched larvae are cream-colored grubs shaped like the letter “C” and are very small – not even measuring a 1/4 inch in length. After pupating for 12 to 18 days, immature drugstore beetles emerge as adults. The typical lifespan of an adult drugstore beetle ranges from 14 to 65 days.

Be sure not to mistake them for cigarette beetles. You can tell the difference because drugstore beetles do not have the humpback appearance. Also, drugstore beetles have very distinct vertical lines on their wings – cigarette beetles do not. The larvae can be mistaken for white maggots. This is when a Board Certified Entomologist comes in handy. An Entomologist will properly identify your beetle so that the correct professional beetle extermination tactics are used.