Beetles help

[davearob]

I have been smoking cigars for about a 1 1/2 years now. I have purchased cigars from several major US vendors. This week end when I was opening up a bundle to make more room in my cooladore I found a small white grub in the bundle. I checked the rest of the bundle and the shipment that came with that bundle and only found one cigar that had holes in it. I took that whole shipment and gave it the freezer treatment. The bundles were never opened and they were only in the coolador for about two weeks. I didn't freeze the rest of my cigars because I couldn't see any evidence in the rest of them (the cooler also never gets abouv 65 f). I have until this point been trusting major US suppliers and never had an issue. What I would like to know from the vastly more experienced guys on this board is what I should do abut this? Should I complain to the vendor and is this much to get upset about? Should I go through the intensive process of freezing all of my cigars
Thanks
Dave

[Old Sailor]

If the bundle was wrapped, I think your other cigars are ok, I'd contact the seller and see what they will do, might be worth it.

Personally, I'd just freeze the bundle and smoke them. Returning them might be more hassle then it's worth. If you freeze them before they go buck wild on your leaves, you're fine.

In my experience (beetles two times) trusting that the larvae haven't moved to other sticks is a risky venture. The fact that they are wrapped does not preclude the larvae from getting out and being in other sticks or boxes.

Just my $0.02 but for what you have invested.

I would freeze the bunch, for a detailed long winded post on how and why go here.



http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7919

I would email the seller and let them know that you received beetles with your sticks. I would do that even if you don't plan to exchange the sticks, because it's always nice to let the vendor know there might be a problem with their storage. If they decide to exchange your sticks for a new bundle, then go ahead and do that, if they don't, then don't worry, you killed those bastards off when you froze them.

Now about your other sticks.. I wouldn't freeze them yet, because more than likely the beetles would have moved to the bundle first instead of your other stored cigars.. but keep an eye on them for the next week and see if they are showing signs of beetles. If they are, then freeze them all.

Goodluck man!

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Chompers

I would email the seller and let them know that you received beetles with your sticks. I would do that even if you don't plan to exchange the sticks, because it's always nice to let the vendor know there might be a problem with their storage. If they decide to exchange your sticks for a new bundle, then go ahead and do that, if they don't, then don't worry, you killed those bastards off when you froze them.

Now about your other sticks.. I wouldn't freeze them yet, because more than likely the beetles would have moved to the bundle first instead of your other stored cigars.. but keep an eye on them for the next week and see if they are showing signs of beetles. If they are, then freeze them all.

Goodluck man!

This is what I would have said. The vendor may give a credit or a few extra cigars on your next order.

[Lucky_Hippo]

Question for the experts:

I know freezing kills off the little buggers that have hatched, but does it kill off the eggs that are dormant? I didn't think it did, so hypothetically speaking even if you freeze all incomming shipments you still have the potential for a beetle outbreak if conditions arise, correct?

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To OP, I'd take the extra step and make the phone call to the place you bought them to help raise a flag and see what their policy is on bugs. It can't be the first time it's happened, and you may get a nice little bonus for giving them a heads up.

Originally Posted by Lucky_Hippo

Question for the experts:

I know freezing kills off the little buggers that have hatched, but does it kill off the eggs that are dormant? I didn't think it did, so hypothetically speaking even if you freeze all incomming shipments you still have the potential for a beetle outbreak if conditions arise, correct?

----------------------------------

To OP, I'd take the extra step and make the phone call to the place you bought them to help raise a flag and see what their policy is on bugs. It can't be the first time it's happened, and you may get a nice little bonus for giving them a heads up.

PM Sent

[Raralith]

Originally Posted by Lucky_Hippo

Question for the experts:
I know freezing kills off the little buggers that have hatched, but does it kill off the eggs that are dormant? I didn't think it did, so hypothetically speaking even if you freeze all incomming shipments you still have the potential for a beetle outbreak if conditions arise, correct?

No, freezing does not kill off dormant eggs. I even read a post somewhere (forgot where otherwise I would like it) of someone freezing a set, and microwaving a different set of cigars, letting them sit out in the sun and they still hatched. So yes, you can freeze to ensure that the shipment sent to you will have no living beetles if shipping conditions were not good, but if your own storage conditions can cause a beetle outbreak too.

I'm with Darrel on this though, just smoke them and don't bother exchanging them. Beetles happen when in transit, not from the distributor who have tempeture and RH covered. You may get some free cigars if you persisted but why mooch when it's not their fault? Person choice there.

[Tio Gato]

It's my understanding is that freezing will kill the eggs as long as you can get the temp low enough. I think 10 to 20 below zero is what is needed. If I can find where I read this I will post a link. Unfortunately most home refrigerators can't get that low. Usually only commercial grades can. A lot of cigars have eggs in them, but they don't hatch because the ideal conditions have not occurred. Eggs hatch above 70 F. Keep them below that and you should be OK.
You should absolutely contact the vendor and let them know. Their response will be a great indication of whether they deserve your business or not.
Best of luck!

Originally Posted by Raralith

No, freezing does not kill off dormant eggs. I even read a post somewhere (forgot where otherwise I would like it) of someone freezing a set, and microwaving a different set of cigars, letting them sit out in the sun and they still hatched. So yes, you can freeze to ensure that the shipment sent to you will have no living beetles if shipping conditions were not good, but if your own storage conditions can cause a beetle outbreak too.

I'm with Darrel on this though, just smoke them and don't bother exchanging them. Beetles happen when in transit, not from the distributor who have tempeture and RH covered. You may get some free cigars if you persisted but why mooch when it's not their fault? Person choice there.

This is not correct, freezing does in fact kill off dormant eggs, larvae, pupai, and full grown beetles.

There is an extensive study done on this, I have a copy of the white paper if you would like to read it. Also I posted the link above.

[karmaz00]

good luck...damn things

[davearob]

Thanks for all your input. I contacted the supplier. He was very good about it and assured me that his cigars are frozen when he receives them, so the one I received must have been killed during the freezing he already put it through. This would probably explain why only one was damaged. I followed the 1 day fridge 3day deep freeze one day fridge with the rest. I will definitely keep my eye on the rest. To bad I didn't notice them earlier as it was -25c overnight this last week end. I could have sat my coolidor out side over night. Great article silverfox. I decided just to smoke the rest and avoid the hassle of trying to return them. Once again thanks for all your advice it is appreciated.

[white_s2k]

The vendor freezes all of his cigars before he ships them out???

[ucla695]

Sorry to hear about this. I hope you're able to kill all of the bastages.