Drugstore Beetle Facts and Information

Drugstore beetles are persistent stored product pests found throughout Southern California, particularly in pantries and food storage areas. These small, reddish-brown beetles earned their name from their habit of infesting pharmaceutical products, though they're equally likely to be found in pantries and food storage areas.

These resilient pests can infest a wide range of dried goods, from stored foods to books and leather products. Their ability to bore through packaging materials makes them particularly problematic in food storage settings. Female beetles can lay up to 75 eggs per generation, and with multiple generations possible per year in heated environments, infestations can quickly escalate. Their small size and ability to infest such a wide range of materials makes them a significant pest in both residential and commercial settings, particularly in areas where dried goods are stored for extended periods.