They invade the house accidently and usually do not live indoors over a few days. However, occasionally a few adults may hide and overwinter. Adults do not fly and males are not required for successful reproduction. Beetles are oval-like, elongated, cylindrical or rather flattened, usually covered with a dense coating of scales. Mouthparts are located at the end of the snout.
Legs are often short or long with wings developed, reduced or lacking.
Hard wing covers normally cover the abdomen. Larvae are C-shaped, smooth or wrinkled, robust with a few hairs and usually legless. No males have been observed. There is one generation per year outdoors. After eggs hatch, white or pinkish larvae with brown heads burrow into the soil and feed on plant roots.