a Q? to all Seasoned aficionado about beetles

Retircs1

I hear a lot of talk about this cigar beetle that is found from time to time in some sticks or inside our humidors. As a Chef and dealing with the storing of many different types of Grain/ flour, could it be that the larval of this cigar beetle is in bedded in the tobacco Leaf before harvesting?. and is dormant until the temperature in out humidors reach over the 70+ range for a period of time that causes them to hatch? This is a common thing when storing grains if not in a cool dry well ventilated space and that space reaches temps 75 to 80 plus that the eggs of the "Saw tooth weevil" a common grain bug that shows up from time to time. I am just asking to get your thoughts on bugs

onestrangeone

Yes, this is exactly what happens. Although my understanding is that infestation can happen at almost any part of the process as well.

CharlieHeis

This is why I started freezing my cigars. Right from the mailbox to the freezer for a few days, per the recommendation of catfishbluezz.

Retircs1

Well I guess if I ever have this problem I will just have to smoke them out lol

The3Stogies

Retircs1

now that is something I was thinking about too pre-freeze before smoking them or placing in my humidor. the issue I was concerned with was the added moister that the cigar has in it that prevents it from drying out. when you place it in the freezer do you temper your sticks before putting it in your humidor?

Retircs1

lol yes sir smoke em lol hahaha

Retircs1

now that is something I was thinking about too pre-freeze before smoking them or placing in my humidor. the issue I was concerned with was the added moister that the cigar has in it that prevents it from drying out. when you place it in the freezer do you temper your sticks before putting it in your humidor? CS1 USN retired " Can't trust a skinny Cook"

Bob Luken

Three to four days at zero degrees fahrenheit Seems to do the trick for me. I did a little bit of google research and it takes longer at higher temps and it's quicker at lower temps but I also added a day for good measure. Also ziplock bag the sticks and remove excess air from the ziplock. Also get a weather thermometer to determine that your freezer is cold enough. ( Don't use your digital hygrometer.) The point of all this is to kill ALL the stages of life for the tobacco beetle. Eggs, larvae, and adult. It's harder to kill the eggs so it takes a bit longer to be sure they are all dead. The point is you don't have to worry about beetles afterward. Even if your coolidors aren't all that cool. My coolers are usually around 78 F. That would be warm enough to worry but I don't because I freeze them little bastards ahead of time. Tobacco beetles generally need temps to be 70 F and above before they will be willing to move about. (that's one reason why wine fridges are nice because the temps are kept at low enough temps that even if beetles, larvae or eggs are present, they remain dormant until higher temps allow them to awaken and live again.)

Retircs1

lol yes kill em all and let the ash sort them out

kuzi16

Retircs1:

lol yes kill em all and let the ash sort them out

old joke that if you ever hear a cigar "crackle" as you smoke it is because you just burned some beetle eggs.

Retircs1

LOL that's a good too

AshMe

Yeah. A lot of people freeze their sticks as soon as they get them, preventative measures I guess. But, has anyone here actually GOTTEN tobacco beetle infestations yet? Because I heard that manufacturers are now vacuum fumigating the cigars before shipping them. Anyone know if thats true? I have not seen any bugs yet so I haven't frozen any of my 'gars yet assuming they are fumigated. I guess the day I do will be the day I pre-freeze.

danielzreyes

AshMe:

Yeah. A lot of people freeze their sticks as soon as they get them, preventative measures I guess. But, has anyone here actually GOTTEN tobacco beetle infestations yet? Because I heard that manufacturers are now vacuum fumigating the cigars before shipping them. Anyone know if thats true? I have not seen any bugs yet so I haven't frozen any of my 'gars yet assuming they are fumigated. I guess the day I do will be the day I pre-freeze.

Yes, it's not pretty

Bob Luken

FireRob

AshMe:

But, has anyone here actually GOTTEN tobacco beetle infestations yet?

I would not say infestation, but I have had one cigar show up from a trade/bomb that was attacked by a little ***. I first noticed the dust in the cello then I could see a couple holes in the wrapper and I finally found a hole in the cello. None of the other cigars in that package were affected just the one. I also freeze 99% of every cigar that I get before it goes in a humi or cooler. I probably still have a few in one of my humidors that were from my start up when I did not freeze and I have a box of Stradivarius that I did not freeze.

catfishbluezz

danielzreyes:

AshMe:

Yeah. A lot of people freeze their sticks as soon as they get them, preventative measures I guess. But, has anyone here actually GOTTEN tobacco beetle infestations yet? Because I heard that manufacturers are now vacuum fumigating the cigars before shipping them. Anyone know if thats true? I have not seen any bugs yet so I haven't frozen any of my 'gars yet assuming they are fumigated. I guess the day I do will be the day I pre-freeze.

Yes, it's not pretty

Me to, twice or more, no telling. Everything gets frozen for a week...

kuzi16

AshMe:

But, has anyone here actually GOTTEN tobacco beetle infestations yet?

not me... but like others here, i take precautions. most of my precautions is keeping my house cool. I freeze any cigar that is suspect.

catfishbluezz

for what it is worth, all of the suspects were nica or DR...

kuzi16

catfishbluezz

Rhamlin

Retircs1:

I hear a lot of talk about this cigar beetle that is found from time to time in some sticks or inside our humidors. As a Chef and dealing with the storing of many different types of Grain/ flour, could it be that the larval of this cigar beetle is in bedded in the tobacco Leaf before harvesting?. and is dormant until the temperature in out humidors reach over the 70+ range for a period of time that causes them to hatch? This is a common thing when storing grains if not in a cool dry well ventilated space and that space reaches temps 75 to 80 plus that the eggs of the "Saw tooth weevil" a common grain bug that shows up from time to time. I am just asking to get your thoughts on bugs

Exactly right. It's my understanding all cigars have the eggs in them. That's something I hope I'm wrong about.