So, what do you do about beetles?

[Brazos Hunter]

As I have said before, I have been smoking cigars for well over 20 years (took my first puff 39 years ago) and as of late I have been asked this one question more and more; "How do you keep from getting Cigar Beetles?"
The answer for me is very simple. It is something I have done for many, many years now with 100% success. After I got out of the US Army in 1995 I went to Nicaragua and toured a couple factories and distributor warehouses. The one thing that I noticed is in every dist warehouse was a giant walk in freezer. When the pallets of cigars would arrive they went to the freezer for 48 hours, first thing. This would kill any beetles/larva that may have found its way into/on the cigars. I practice the same and have NEVER had a problem with the cigars I freeze. This in no way damages the cigar or effects it negatively. In fact, my friends with the most refined pallet do not know unless I tell them.
Anyway, what do you do to prevent beetles other than maintaining proper rH/temp?

 

[Almi]

Everything I purchase sits in the freezer for 48 hours. The temp is zero in the freezer. I open the box and throw them in the freezer and after 48 hours they go right to the coolidor once I add a date label. I have not had a single problem doing this method. The funny part is I am cool enough where I live that I more than likely would not have to but it is really just a piece of mind thing.

 

[JuzCallMeDee]

i thought the temps had to be below 0?

 

[Russ622]

As I have said before, I have been smoking cigars for well over 20 years (took my first puff 39 years ago) and as of late I have been asked this one question more and more; "How do you keep from getting Cigar Beetles?"
The answer for me is very simple. It is something I have done for many, many years now with 100% success. After I got out of the US Army in 1995 I went to Nicaragua and toured a couple factories and distributor warehouses. The one thing that I noticed is in every dist warehouse was a giant walk in freezer. When the pallets of cigars would arrive they went to the freezer for 48 hours, first thing. This would kill any beetles/larva that may have found its way into/on the cigars. I practice the same and have NEVER had a problem with the cigars I freeze. This in no way damages the cigar or effects it negatively. In fact, my friends with the most refined pallet do not know unless I tell them.
Anyway, what do you do to prevent beetles other than maintaining proper rH/temp?

So you took your first puff of a cigar when you were 2 years old?

 

[Almi]

Here is a chart that I found on another website:

Freezing to kill pest.

Egg

-4 F / -20 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 1 hr

5 F / -15 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 4 hr

14 F / -10 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 12 hr

23 F / -5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 48 hr

32 F / 0 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 240 hr

41 / 5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 336 hr

Larval

-4 F / -20 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 1 hr

5 F / -15 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 3 hr

14 F / -10 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 12 hr

23 F / -5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 96 hr

32 F / 0 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 288 hr

41 F / 5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 336 hr

Acclimated Larval (acclimated at 59 F / 15 Celsius for 3 months to determine acclimation impact if any)

-4 F / -20 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 1 hr

5 F / -15 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 6 hr

14 F / -10 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 24 hr

23 F / -5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 504 hr

32 F / 0 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 1176 hr

41 F / 5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 1680 hr


Pupal

-4 F / -20 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 1 hr

5 F / -15 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 4 hr

14 F / -10 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 48 hr

23 F / -5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 288 hr

32 F / 0 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 840 hr

Adult

-4 F / -20 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 1 hr

5F / -15 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 2 hr

14 F / -10 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 2 hr

23 F / -5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 72 hr

32 F / 0 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 288 hr

41 F / 5 degrees C Time to 100% mortality 840 hr

 

[Brazos Hunter]

So you took your first puff of a cigar when you were 2 years old?

Actually three. My mom tells it that I kept trying to take my pop's cigar and that one day he thought if he allowed me to it would turn me green and keep me from smoking. His idea backfired when I inhaled without coughing or turning green.

 

[Happy Idiot]

Been smoking since the early 90s. All kinds and many many cc. Never froze a cigar. Never had a beetle. Now, crabs. However...

 

[knw247]

Living in So Cal, it only took one failure of the AC to move me to invest in a Wino. I may consider the process of Freezing when I am unsure of a cigar's origin.

 

[knw247]

So you do not transition through the cooler fridge?

 

[Brazos Hunter]

So you do not transition through the cooler fridge?

Mine go straight from the box freezer to the igloo I have setup to age, no other transition or gradual warming.

 

[knw247]

no other transition or gradual warming.

How long to you allow them to rest, before smoking? Does this add significantly to the Typical Travel Rest?

 

[Brazos Hunter]

BTW, sorry if I bring/brought up a subject that has been beat up before. Some topics I have found are nice to revisit.

 

[knw247]

I have fond in my short time here, that this site is as much about the conversation as the "research" factor. So you can never bring up a topic too often.
By the way, Thank you for your Service B. Hunter

 

[Brazos Hunter]

How long to you allow them to rest, before smoking? Does this add significantly to the Typical Travel Rest?

On average, two years. Some I will try early on so I can have a "green" reference.

 

[knw247]

WOW, And I thought I was doing good to pick up a few boxes for 2016 use. I have so much to learn.

 

[Brazos Hunter]

WOW, And I thought I was doing good to pick up a few boxes for 2016 use. I have so much to learn.

Honestly, it is to each his own. I prefer aged over box fresh myself. I have a couple boxes from 1998 and 2000 that I feel still have not hit their prime and will rest a bit longer. PM me your address and I will send you a couple that have some age so you can see first hand what I am talking about.

 

[samb]

Your supposed to be at risk if temps get over 70* which is why the winedor is a great investment. My temps are usually a bit warmer than that and I've next had a beetle problem. I suppose I really should start freezing them before storing.

My question here would be, if I haven't had any beetle issues yet, is it safe to assume my current stock is good? And in the future, freeze any new boxes?

 

[Brazos Hunter]

I would freeze your entire stock just to be safe. It would not be a good thing to loose them all because of it! Also, clean your humidor REAL well and vacuum it out.

 

[SouthernerInSask]

Good post Brazos, good read about the background for your process.

Never had a beetle. Now, crabs. However...

same process - stick em in the freezer for 48 hours