Pantry Pests
Confused Flour Beetle
| Appearance |
|---|
 Reddish brown, with flat, oblong body; 1/8-inch. |
| Habitat |
| The confused flour beetle gets its name because it is often mistaken for its nearly identical relative, the red flour beetle. However, the red flour beetle can fly, while the confused flour beetle cannot. Both beetles are most common in processed grain products, where their flattened bodies allow them to work their way into almost any package. Food heavily infested by these beetles often develops a grayish tint and takes on an unpleasant odor. Confused flour beetles can breed year-round in heated buildings. |
| Diet |
| Flour beetles are scavengers and cannot attack whole grains. They rely on other insects, such as rice weevils or lesser grain borers, to first damage the kernels. They are also known as "bran bugs" because they prefer flour and flour by-products. |
| Control |
| Discard all infested packages in outdoor trash receptacles. Clean up spilled grain and infested cabinet areas using a vacuum followed by soapy water. Store dried food and pantry items in glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids to limit the spread if one food becomes infested. |
