Confused and Red Flour Beetles are very common to the Northwest and the most commonly treated grain insects within residential kitchens. Both the confused and red flour beetles, known as "bran bugs," primarily attack milled grain products, such as flour and cereals. These beetles often hitchhike into the home in infested flour and can multiply into large populations. Some survive on food accumulations in cabinet cracks, crevices, and furniture. Badly infested flour is characterized by a sharp odor and moldy flavour.

 They measure about 1/8 inch long and are flat, shiny, reddish-brown, and elongated. Teh eggs, larvae and pupae are similar in both beetles. Eggs are whitish or colorless and microscopic in size, with food particles adhering to the sticky surface. Brown headed larvae are cream to yellow, slender, and wiry, reaching a lengthy of 1/4 inch. Larvae have six legs and two pointed or forked projections at the last rear body segment. Pupae are white to light brown. Female beetles each lay 300 to 400 eggs in flour or other foods during a period of five to eight months. (two to three eggs per day). Within 5 to 12 days these eggs hatch.

Adults are very active, quickly running for cover when disturbed, and can be found either on the surface or deep within the food material. Because of their small size and shape, they can frequently invade storage containers.