How to identify and get rid of confused flour beetle

Has your pantry turned into a giant mess of small red beetles making a meal of your dried goods? Confused flour beetles can seem to come out of nowhere and spread like crazy.

These little pests are notorious for infesting stored food products, slipping into cracks in packaging, and leaving you with contaminated goods. While they’re harmless to humans, they can cause a lot of frustration by spoiling your pantry staples.

Confused flour beetles reproduce quickly and can spread rapidly through your dry goods if not caught early. They’re usually brought into the home in infested food products, and from there, they can easily spread to other items in your pantry. Fortunately, with some careful inspection and proper storage techniques, you can keep these pesky beetles under control and protect your food.

Confused flour beetles are small reddish-brown beetles that are best recognized by their clubbed antennae. They have four clubs on their antennae that gradually get bigger. They have ridges on their wing covers, and can’t fly.

How big are confused flour beetles?

Confused flour beetles are tiny, about 1/8 of an inch long.

They’re found throughout the United States, especially in homes, grocery stores, and warehouses where dry goods are stored. You’ll find them in your pantry, cupboards, and anywhere dry foods like flour, cereals, grains, and spices are stored. They don’t typically infest outdoor areas.

Finding an infestation of confused flour beetles in your pantry can be frustrating. Here are some ways you can clean up the mess and make sure these beetles never come back:

• Inspect and discard infested products: Thoroughly check all dry goods in your pantry and discard any that show signs of infestation.
• Store food properly: Keep dry goods in airtight containers to prevent beetles from accessing them.
• Clean your pantry: Deep clean your pantry shelves, including cracks and crevices, to remove any lingering beetles or eggs.
• Freeze: If you suspect food items might be infested, place them in the freezer for at least four days to kill any beetles or larvae.