Red Flour Beetles in Kailua Kona
Flour beetles received their name for their reputation of infesting flour and grain-based products. Of all the variations of flour beetle, the most pervasive and destructive are the red flour beetle and the confused flour beetle. These two beetles infest stored grain products like flour, spices, cake mix, cereals, pasta, and dried flowers, and have been known to attack dried museum specimens. They are unable to penetrate an undamaged grain, so they feed on the grain dust and milled foods. This beetle can fly short distances and prefers a warmer climate.
Red Flour Beetle Habitat
Since Red Flour Beetles reside in buildings where food is processed, they can breed throughout the year. These beetles are usually found inside an infested grain product but can also be located in other areas where grain may have spilled. The larvae and adults are present in the infested products, but it is also common for the adult beetles to leave the infested packaging and wander around homes and pantries.
Red Flour Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
The red beetle does not react to a threat with a bite or a sting, however, their presence may elicit allergic reactions. For example, the large numbers of dead bodies, shedded skins, and fecal droppings create a pungent odor in the grain. Ways to identify an infestation include seeing these beetles flying or crawling in the home or noticing them in a flour or cereal product. You may also notice a “leaky package” where grain spills from the package due to small holes being chewed through the packaging. Contact your local pantry pest control experts for help with red flour beetle problems.
