Knowledgebase
Bugs in my home #783424
Asked March 07, 2022, 1:43 PM EST
Good afternoon! I went to the Extensions agent in Monroe and showed them these tiny little bugs that I have found in my home on my one window and also a couple of them on two other windows. I had a problem with them last year at the end of summer and I have been seeing them again now. Yesterday it was somewhat warmer and I found a lot of them throughout the day on my window. At night time the seem to fly around the lamp by my chair and I have also seen them fly around into the lamp then drop onto my end table. My end table seems to have marks that they have drilled out. They seem to have a shell on them and are very tiny.
I need help as to what can I do to get rid of them. I am becoming paranoid with them as last summer they were even landing on my body. What am I to do. I am attaching pictures of my end table and also the bugs themselves so that you can see what I have. If you need to reach me, my phone number is<personal data hidden>. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Monroe County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Margaret Ann,
Those are drugstore beetles, Stegobium paniceum (Coleoptera: Ptinidae).
The drugstore beetle is found throughout the world but it is more often encountered in temperate regions. It is best known as a pantry pest and it is reported to feed on any household food or spice, as well as wool, hair, leather, horn and, as the common name indicates, it is known to infest dry pharmaceutical drugs. Drugstore beetles have very strong jaws which allows them to chew through wooden objects, books, tin or aluminum foil, and even lead. If this beetle is infesting your pantry, the best method of control is to locate the source of the infestation and discard all infested food items. Begin with packages that have been in the cupboard the longest and check all opened packages of flour products, dried fruits, nuts, spices and even dog food and birdseed. If any of the beetles are found in food products then the next step is to thoroughly scrub cupboards and kitchen area with strong detergent.
If no infestation can be found in the kitchen area, check woolens, leather products, stuffed animals, carpet edges and even heating ducts. These beetles can persist in wall cavities and other hidden areas if there is sufficient organic material present to sustain the beetles. Drugstore beetles may also enter the home in the fall seeking a nice protected spot to spend the winter. If this is the case, none of the above control measures will work. Spraying along the baseboards with a residual insecticide registered for indoor use (like Ortho Home Defense Max) may help to reduce their numbers. The drugstore beetle requires about two months to complete its life cycle.
Be sure to read and follow all the instructions and safety precautions found on the pesticide label before using any pesticide.
Best regards,
Howard
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