Confused Flour Beetles in Kailua Kona
Numerous flour beetles are known for infesting flour and grain-based products. Within this species is the confused flour beetle, which is found most frequently in the northern parts of the United States. The confused flour beetle and the red flour beetle are similar and are both considered the most economically dangerous of the flour beetles. They are omnivorous (eating both animals and plants), and are the most commonly encountered pest in flour mills. They eat milled cereals and dust from grain and are unable to attack sound or undamaged grain.
Confused Flour Beetle Habitat
The confused and red flour beetles compete for the same resources as they exist in the same environment. Flour beetles infest grain products, but also will live in areas where grain may have spilled. Flour beetles will infest cereal, cornmeal, crackers, cake mix, dry pet food, seeds (like birdseed), nuts, and chocolate. The adults and the small larvae can be found in infested food items. The larvae will live in the infested product, but the adult beetles tend to wander from the infested area.
Confused Flour Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
The confused flour beetle is a nuisance pest as they do not bite or spread disease. Unfortunately, they have an unpleasant odor, and their infestation often will create mold growth. They enjoy products that have a high moisture content and may give the grain they are infesting a gray tint. Signs that there is an infestation include physically seeing beetles flying or crawling in the home, finding them in products, or seeing small amounts of meal or grain “leaking” from packages.
If an infestation is present in your Kailua Kona home, locate and discard all infested material. Contact your local pant pest control experts for help or advice with confused flour beetles!
