Confused Flour Beetle Identification & Behavior

Confused Flour Beetle

Actual Size: 3.5 mm

Characteristics: Small, flattened; reddish-brown. The last three segments of the antenna are almost equal in diameter.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes, but rarely flies.

Habitat: Often inhabit grain products such as cereal, cornmeal, and more.

Habits:

Adults can live for three years or more.
Economically damaging pest of flour and grain-based products.
In 5-8 months, female beetles lay 300-400 eggs in dry food products.

Confused flour beetle - Beetle extermination services in Wisconsin by Batzner Pest Control — Confused Flour Beetle

Confused flour beetle - Beetle control and extermination in Wisconsin by Batzner Pest Control — Confused Flour Beetle

Red flour beetle - Beetle extermination, control and removal by Batzner Pest Control in Wisconsin — Red Flour Beetle

Red flour beetle - Beetle control and extermination services in Wisconsin by Batzner Pest Control — Red Flour Beetle

Confused Flour Beetle Diet

Flour beetles feed off-grain, flour, and other cereal products, beans, cacao, cottonseed, shelled nuts, dried fruit, dried vegetables, drugs, spices, chocolate, dried milk, and animal hides.

Confused Flour Beetle Habitat

The confused flour beetle is better suited to temperate climates, while the red flour beetle predominates in subtropical climates.

Confused Flour Beetle Life Cycle

Female lays between 400-500 eggs, which are deposited directly in flour, other food material, or attached to the surface of the container. They are white or colorless and covered by a sticky material to which flour can adhere. Eggs hatch in three to five days and the larvae burrow into kernels of grain but may leave their burrows in search of more favorable food. Adults typically live one to three years.

Confused Flour Beetle Damage

The beetles cause damage by feeding on grains but cause more problems from contamination. Large numbers of dead bodies, cast skins, and fecal pellets produce extremely pungent odors. The nauseous smell and taste caused by infestations result in poor feed consumption by livestock and rejection by grain buyers.

Confused Flour Beetle Prevention & Control

Confused Flour Beetle Prevention

Properly sanitize grain bins before introducing new grain. Good sanitation involves the removal of old grain and dust in and around the grain bin, including removal of old grain from corners, floors, and walls. Any grain remaining when a bin is emptied can harbor insect infestations which will move into the new grain.

Confused Flour Beetle Control

Inspect and Discard: Inspect infested products and discard them. Pay particular attention to dry grains, including flours, milled grains, powdered milk, and cocoa. Inspect each one by one and seal cleared products in air-tight containers.

Clean and Vacuum: Vacuum and clean shelves thoroughly. Pay attention to cracks, crevices, under shelves, and around wire shelving. It doesn’t take a large food source for flour beetles to survive.

If a flour beetle infestation occurs, count on a professional pest management service to take care of the problem knowledgeably and successfully.