Tribolium castaneum

 

When your flour’s got more crunch than usual, it’s probably not a new recipe — it’s a Red Flour Beetle infestation.

 

Red Flour Beetles are small, reddish-brown pests that love dry, stored foods. Often mistaken for their cousin, the Confused Flour Beetle, they’re nearly identical in appearance — but not in behavior.

 

Unlike Confused Flour Beetle, Red Flour Beetles can fly, so they’re more likely to spread through a pantry or warehouse and even different floors of a building quickly.

 

They don’t bite or carry disease, but their presence in food is a dealbreaker. Just a few beetles can turn a bag of flour, cereal, pasta, spices and pet food into waste.

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They feed on broken kernels and processed products, and often hide deep within the packaging.

 

Red Flour Beetles usually come in through infested products purchased from stores or suppliers.

 

Once inside, they’ll quickly spread to other food items — especially in warm, dry areas. 

 

Signs of an infestation include: small reddish-brown beetles crawling in or around food packaging, off odors in flour or grains and larvae or beetle skins inside containers or on shelves

 

If you notice any of these, it’s time to call the professionals.

 

Red Flour Beetles are incredibly hardy. Females can lay hundreds of eggs, and the larvae hide well in cracks, seams, or under shelving.

 

Simply tossing infested food isn’t enough — without targeted treatment, they’ll return again and again.

 

For food processing or storage facilities, a red flour beetle problem can lead to recalls, product losses, and even failed inspections.

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We start all Confused Flour Beetle treatments with a thorough inspection. 

 

Our inspection will help us identify the source of the infestation.

 

We will help you identify and remove infested items and improve product storage practices.

 

We apply safe, highly effective treatments in storage areas, crevices, and other hiding spots to eliminate the active beetle population.

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Stop Red Flour Beetles from taking over your pantry or production line. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and take back control.

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​​For more information about our services, reach out to us today!