Deathwatch beetles are named because of a clicking noise that two (and possibly more) species tend to make in the walls of houses and other buildings.

This clicking noise is designed to communicate with potential mates, but has historically caused fear of impending death during times of plague and sickness.

Several species are pests, causing damage to wooden furniture, house structures, tobacco, and dried food products.

The "drugstore beetle", Stegobium paniceum, is known to infest a variety of stored materials, including bread, flour, cereal, prescription drugs, strychnine powder, packaged foods, and even Egyptian tombs.

Damage and economic losses from L. serricorne infestations were estimated by the USDA to be 0.7% of the total warehoused tobacco commodity in 1971.