Confused Flour Beetles
Active Seasons
Appearance and Size Facts
- Confused Flour beetles are reddish-brown in color and have a flat body
- Antennae end in a three-segmented club with the end being abrupt
- Found in less temperate areas than the Red Flour beetle
- Also it's found in greater numbers in the northern United States
- Size: Very small, roughly 1/8 inch long
- Known as "bran bugs" because they primarily attack milled grain products such as flour and cereals
Behavior and Habitat of Confused Flour Beetles
Female beetles each lay 300 to 400 eggs in flour or other foods during a period of five to eight months. Within 5 to 12 days, these eggs hatch into slender larvae. The larval period varies from 22 to more than 100 days, and pupation takes about 8 days. Adults can live for 3 years or more. The Confused Flour beetle is a scavenger and must rely on other insects to damage grain before it can feed on it. Because of this beetles small size, it frequently invades storage containers. These beetles breed in damaged grain, grain dust, high-moisture wheat kernels, flour, etc. They are prolific and quite damaging.
Signs of Infestation of Confused Flour Beetles
Sighting of small tubular beetles near stored products or in the product can indicate activity.
Tips for Prevention of Confused Flour Beetles
Discard any food that is infested. Vacuum the shelves of all pantries and cabinets where food is stored and store food in sealed containers. Most times, removing the source of the infestation is enough to manage the pest.
Confused Flour Beetle Gallery
Latest Pest & Termite Control News
Common Pest Activity in South Florida in the Fall
Sep 19, 2022—Pest Control, Tips & Control Advice
As inviting as South Florida is, with its sunny, tropical environment, luscious landscapes, and miles of beaches to enjoy, there are downsides to paradise, such as the humidity and pest activity that continues to pester homeowners into the fall and winter. In many parts of the country, common...
Read More ›
Tiny Ants Invaded Your House? Here\'s What You Can Do!
Sep 08, 2022—Ants
Tiny black ants are known to invade kitchens and bathrooms, especially in South Florida. In this post, we review how these tiny ants enter the home and what steps you can take to prevent them and stop their invasion in its tracks. Got tiny ants in your house? The few you see walking across your...
Read More ›
7 Ways to Prevent Ants From Taking Over Your Kitchen This Summer
Jul 28, 2022—Ants, Pest Control
Ants are a common problem for homeowners in South Florida and once they establish themselves in your home, they can be hard to evict. Most ants that you see foraging in your kitchen or bathroom are usually nuisance ants such as ghost ants, commonly referred to as sugar ants, that are looking for...
Read More ›
