How to Prevent Cigar Beetles?

If you are a cigar smoker, then you know that nothing can ruin a good smoke like an infestation of cigar beetles. These pesky little critters can quickly destroy an entire humidor full of cigars. In this blog post, we will answer some common questions about cigar beetles and provide some useful tips on how to get rid of them.

Why does it happen?

Cigar beetles can infest a humidor for several reasons. One common reason is that the humidity level in the humidor is too high. Cigar beetles thrive in moist environments, so if the humidity level is too high, they will be able to survive and reproduce. Another common reason for an infestation is that there are cracks or other openings in the humidor where the beetles can enter. If you notice an infestation, it is important to take action right away to get rid of the beetles before they have a chance to damage your cigars.

Some folks claim that leaving your RH low will prevent them from hatching even if the temperature is high; however, as someone who regularly has humidors under well under 65, I got hit twice last year, on several sticks. None of the culprits were in my wineador, all were in my humidors, and ranged from Dominican to Nicaraguan sticks, older to newer. Both times I got hit, were also lower temperature times of the year, which made it all the odder. Habanos are known for being troublesome with beetles, which is why I use a wineador, but I do plan on moving to a cabinet for aging in the future.

So here is what to look for and how to proceed.

Dust piles

Beetles eat their way out of the cigar, so if you see little dust piles, that is an immediate sign of beetles. You may not see beetle holes where they dug out of the cigar, as they may still be inside it, or may dig the holes under the band or wrapping as I have witnessed. When you find a cigar with a dust pile, hold it up vertically, tap on the cap, and if dust falls out the bottom, you have a beetle.

At this point, the cigar is already infested and should be removed from the humidor. The cigars that are infested with beetles should be thrown away, as they will likely not be salvageable.

If you find a cigar with a dust pile, it is important to take action right away to get rid of the beetles before they have a chance to damage your cigars. One common way to get rid of cigar beetles is to place them in the freezer for a few days. This will kill the beetles and prevent them from damaging any more cigars.

Another method for getting rid of beetle infestations is to use an insecticide. There are several different types of insecticides available, so consult with your local tobacco shop or tobacconist to find the best one for your needs.

Beetle holes

Do not second guess if you see a hole in a cigar. Inspect every cigar in your humidor. Tap every cigar on the cap. Look for the dust piles, and pull them out of the cello if you have to.

If you notice that your cigars have beetle holes, likely, the beetles have already infested them. In this case, the cigars should be removed from the humidor and placed in a Ziploc bag or other airtight container. The insecticide should then be applied to the cigars to kill any remaining beetles.

Freezing

You need a freezer with a temperature that can get down to zero degrees at least. Mine hits negative six, and the lower you can get it the better. The consensus is the higher the freezing temperature, the longer you need to freeze. For example, if your freezer is only getting down to 0-10 degrees, you might want to freeze for 7-8 days just to be safe. Most folks say 3-4 days is fine, and I tend to agree with that statement when dealing with below-zero temperatures. Most manufacturers claim to freeze, both Non-Cuban and Cuban, but we still seem to see them pop up every once in a while so do not take chances.

Freezing Steps:

1. Bag cigars in a large freezer bag, suck all the air out with a straw, then double bag, and place in refrigerator overnight. I do not do this and just toss them in, but if you want to be safe, the cigars will acclimate to the climate easier. You could even leave them in a few hours.
2. Place them in the freezer for a minimum of 72 hours, if not more depending on your freeing temperature. I normally do a minimum of four days, and just try and forget about them. There is no harm in letting them go for a week.
3. Place them back in the refrigerator overnight to bring them back to room temperature.
4. Open the bags up to let them breathe at room temperature for 24 hours, then place them in the humidor.
5. For me free is a no-brainer, especially once I lost a Partagas 150 and an original run of El Truinfador lancero to the little buggers. I also lost several others, but it just makes sense to freeze now. My system is simple. I have a quarantine bag with a boveda pack sitting on my counter next to one of my humidors. As cigars come in for review, from trades, bombs, etc…, they go in the bag. Once the bag is big enough, it goes into the freezer. That way, every cigar in my possession has been through the freezing process. The only exceptions I make are cigars that go in my wineador, as there is no need, and I keep the temperature in there at 60-62, which is my preference.

Also, you can repair holes with cigar glue, please, check my guide.

How can I prevent cigar beetles from infesting my humidor?

There are several things you can do to prevent cigar beetles from infesting your humidor. One of the most important things is to keep the humidity level at a consistent 65-70%. You can also use an electronic humidifier or Boveda packs to help maintain the humidity level. Additionally, make sure there are no cracks or other openings in the humidor where the beetles can enter.

Cigar Beetle FAQ:

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”What are cigar beetles?” answer-0=”Cigar beetles are small black insects that infest and eat tobacco. They can cause significant damage to cigars, so it is important to take action right away if you notice an infestation.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”How do I know if my humidor has been infected by cigar beetles?” answer-1=”One sign of a cigar beetle infestation is the presence of dust piles. If you find a cigar with a dust pile, it is important to take action right away to get rid of the beetles before they have a chance to damage any more cigars. Another sign is beetle holes in the cigars.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”What should I do if my humidor has been infected by cigar beetles?” answer-2=”Freezing them for a few days is another popular technique to remove them. The bugs will be destroyed and prevented from causing any more damage. Another approach for eliminating beetle infestations is to utilize an insecticide. There are several distinct types of insecticides on the market; therefore, contact your nearest tobacco shop.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]

Verdict

If you follow these tips, you can help keep your cigars safe from cigar beetle infestations. However, if an infestation does occur, it is important to take action right away to get rid of the beetles before they have a chance to damage your cigars. Thanks for reading!