Active Seasons
Appearance and Size Facts of Confused Flour Beetles
Confused flour beetles, whose erratic flying makes up their name, primarily infest grain and flour products. Though only 3 to 4 millimeters long, these red-brown, flattened beetles can cause much damage in south Florida pantries. They have three to five club-shaped antennae, and their larvae are yellowish-white, scarab-shaped grubs that grow to 5 millimeters. Because of their tiny size, they can cause damage to your home by easily getting into packaged foods and hiding in cracks.
Identifying Confused Flour Beetles From Other Beetles
You can tell confused flour beetles from other beetles by looking for a few things, such as their small size, red-brown flattened bodies, and clubbed antennae. Also, you can commonly find them in pantries, infesting grain products. They’re different in color compared to saw-toothed grain beetles, which are darker, and have a different body shape compared to cigarette beetles, which are rounder.
We provide beetle control for confused flour beetles in the following locations and their surrounding areas:
Behavior and Habitat of Confused Flour Beetles
Confused flour beetles can live up to three years and lay hundreds of eggs in flour and grain products. Their larvae can feed for two to three weeks before maturing, while adults can survive for months without food. Even though they’re everywhere, they love warm and humid environments like kitchens. As scavengers, confused flour beetles need other insects to damage grains before they can invade and feed on them.
Signs of Infestation of Confused Flour Beetles
If you see small, reddish-brown beetles crawling around cabinets and pantries, this is a sign of a confused flour beetle infestation. You can also see larvae wriggling around flour, cereals, pasta, crackers, rice, oats, and other grain-based foods. Packages with tiny holes chewed through them and grains spilling out of crevices are other signs of an infestation. Ensure that all dried goods are checked for signs, and throw out anything that has live beetles or shows damage.
Tips for Prevention of Confused Flour Beetles
Inspect pantry items and clean food storage areas to prevent confused flour beetle infestations. Throw out old products, wipe down shelves, and store flour, grains, cereals, pasta, crackers, and other susceptible ingredients in airtight, insect-proof containers to keep insects at bay.
Start with the oldest products to keep them from sitting too long in the pantry. Check the packaging of your products carefully before buying and returning home from the grocery store. Look for tiny holes or signs of insects. These proactive measures can help you avoid introducing confused flour beetles into your pantry.
Getting Rid of Confused Flour Beetles
Get rid of confused flour beetles by thoroughly removing infested foods and checking them closely for larvae. Wash pantry shelves, corners, drawers, and other affected areas with soap and hot water to eliminate eggs and residue that could continue the infestation.
For severe or persistent infestations, your best bet is to hire professional pest control services to get rid of the confused flour beetles completely.
Effective Confused Flour Beetle Control Solutions
You might find confused flour beetles in your pantry, but you don’t have to deal with them alone. Call our pest control experts at Hulett for the best pest control in south Florida. We’ve been in business for over 50 years, and we’re known for our excellent customer service.
We have the tools and expertise to take care of confused flour beetle infestations and prevent them from returning. Schedule a free inspection today for confused flour beetle removal in South Florida. Hulett Environmental Services will help you get rid of these stubborn pests.
Confused Flour Beetle Gallery
