WHAT ARE DRUGSTORE BEETLES?
Drugstore beetles are a type of stored pantry pest and like other types of pantry pests it is the larval stage that does most of the damage and contaminates food sources. Adult female drugstore beetles lay their eggs in a variety of food and non-food items which include: flour, spices, cereals, dry pet food, books, wool, leather, and of course, their namesake, prescription drugs. Once the larvae hatch they feed on the available food sources for a period of time before pupating into an adult.
Adult drugstore beetles have an oval body shape and are a brownish-red color. They grow to be about 1/8th of an inch in length. Drugstore beetles have a smooth antenna that ends in a 3 segmented club and have striated wing covers. Their head is bent at an angle which causes them to have a humpbacked appearance when looking down at it.
WHY DO I HAVE THEM?
Drugstore beetles commonly enter into homes in products that are purchased from stores that are already infested with adults or larvae. It is also common for the adults to enter into homes through torn screens, open windows or doors as they are foraging for food.
ARE DRUGSTORE BEETLES DANGEROUS?
No, drugstore beetles are not considered to be dangerous. They are a type of nuisance pest and are not known to transmit any diseases to people. However, when inside your home and pantry they will contaminate your food sources with themselves, their larvae, and their urine and feces.
CAN I DO IT MYSELF?
Do-It-Yourself pest control is never recommended. Chemicals used to control pests that are available for purchase in retail stores are often ineffective and do nothing to solve the route of the problem, which is to figure out and stop the way that the drugstore beetles are getting inside of your home. Also, if not properly mixed or placed correctly, especially in pantry and kitchen areas, the chemicals are a threat to you, your family, pets, and plants. The safest way to control a drugstore infestation is with the help of a trained professional.
HOW SOON CAN YOU GET HERE?
At Schendel we understand how important time is when dealing with a pest invasion. This is why we are committed to helping our customers most often the same day or at the very latest the next day. Contact us today for help with your drugstore beetle infestation.
IS THE TREATMENT SAFE?
Yes, our treatment methods are safe for use around people, pets, and plants. Our technicians use the smallest amount of material possible to solve your pest problem whether that is using natural products, baits, or conventional products.
We also follow very strict guidelines, and all of our conventional products are EPA registered, further ensuring the safety of their use.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
All of our pest services are standard priced. Pricing may be dependent on the size of your home and numbers of treatments that are required to solve your specific pest problem. We are able to provide our customers with FREE quotes; and our technicians are dedicated to making sure that you are aware of any changes to the price of your service before treatment begins.
We take pride in communicating openly and honestly with our customers ensuring that there are no surprises for you during the billing process.
WHAT IS THE GUARANTEE?
We provide our customers with our PestZero Guarantee, which means we guarantee that your home will stay pest free for one year. Our technicians provide you with an initial interior and exterior service and will then have quarterly follow-up visits to ensure pest are controlled around your property and in your home. If for any reason a pest treatment is needed between visits we gladly provide that treatment at no additional charge.
HOW CAN I PREVENT THIS IN THE FUTURE?
Preventing drugstore beetles can be tricky but there are a few things you can do to help protect your home and pantry from these nuisance pests. Make sure to always inspect food packaging before purchasing items from the store and never purchase items that have rips, tears, or holes in the packaging. Inside your home, store dry goods in sealed plastic or glass containers instead of their original packaging; and be sure to rotate dry goods and throw out any expired items. It is also a good idea to inspect screens and make sure they are completely intact, and caulk any gaps around exterior windows and doors. And of course the best way to prevent and control drugstore beetles is by having a year-round pest control service plan in place.
