O. surinamensis is a slender, dark brown beetle 2.4–3 mm in size, with characteristic "teeth" running down the side of the prothorax.

[6] A female can produce 43-285 eggs in their six to ten month average lifespan which are deposited on a food mass.

[7] The ideal temperature range for larvae development within eggs is about 27-29°C (80-85°F[7]), under such conditions they hatch in three to five days.

[2] In areas which have severe infestations of O. surinamensis adults have been reported to nibble on the skin of people, however, these bites are not harmful.

[2] Because of the high toxicity of fumigants, their use is restricted to qualified applicators[2][7] and areas which can be tightly sealed.