When You Find A Beetle

JJKJR · 02-15-2013, 07:59 AM

What's the advice when you find a live bettle in the humidor? I always do the freezer protocol that I've learned on this forum with all the cigars that I buy. About 2-3 months ago I saw a cigar with a beetle hole, which I discarded and then maybe 2-3 more since then. Last week I took the top shelf of the humidor off to get a cigar. When I lifted it back up to put it back on, I saw a beetle on the table. I think that was the bast#$@. So what should I do? Re-freeze the remaining cigars? Take out the remaining cigars and wipe out the humidor? Give them away to the forum members for free?

chaase321 · 02-15-2013, 08:08 AM

I'm sure there will be plenty of advice given here, but just my two cents...

I would immediately quarantine everything that was in that humi. Put it all in double ziplock freezer bags and back into the freezer...which you may not be doing correctly (or freezer not getting cold enough) if you always do it but still had a beetle.

Also, I keep all of my cigars on the lower level of the house, and about 10 degrees at all times below 75. This way, if there are eggs, they have a really hard time hatching.

Zane · 02-15-2013, 08:09 AM

Deep Freeze for a week. It happens to everyone. Here is a link to a video regarding it.

http://bcove.me/o5r1kgic

pnoon · 02-15-2013, 08:20 AM

Giving away cigars you KNOW to be infested is not a good thing. Unless you want to be ostracized by the cigar community.

Posted via Mobile Device

Bondo 287 · 02-15-2013, 08:24 AM

Yeah deep freeze as above. But just for laughs, while freezing, check the empty humidor. Thoroughly. Any crack or gap. If you have "bead media" for hydration make sure they aren't hiding in there. They can also climb into some types of hygrometers if it is the analog dial type. Never seen that, but still, they are shy critters, love to burrow, and have to be surviving somehow.

jjefrey · 02-15-2013, 09:41 AM

As already stated Deep Freeze treatment should get this taken care of.

milhouse · 02-15-2013, 10:15 AM

i would consider wrapping the humidor in saran wrap and freezing that too.

might have some larvea tucked away.

milhouse · 02-15-2013, 10:16 AM

being that you have had beetles before, it seems like you have a temperature issue.

you said you freeze everthing... are you sure that you:

1. freeze everything before it goes in your humidor...
2. nothing that was not frozen goes into that humidor....

If yes to these 2 questions, I would guess you are not freezing long enough or at a low enough temperature.

it's better to be proactive than reactive.

cmitch · 02-15-2013, 10:22 AM

Beetle

RYJ Habano devoured by beetle:

cjhalbrooks · 02-15-2013, 10:35 AM

OKay you have me checking out ALL MY CIGARS.

hazydat620 · 02-15-2013, 10:41 AM

This is bad juju right here, but its like a wreck I cant look away from. I got a sick feeling in my stomach looking at that RYJ.

markem · 02-15-2013, 10:53 AM

Freezing, of course, if your best option. Freezing the humidor could result in warpage and is probably contraindicated. Follow the technique outlined in the sticky in one of the forums.

After I get sticks out of the freezer and back to room temp, I tend to leave them in the sealed back for a couple of months in the humidor (but I have a very big humidor).

Also, beware the gifted cigar. In spite of the other person's best anti-beetle precautions, one may slip through. I leave all gifted cigars in the original bags, usually until they are smoked. I do open the bags and have the open ends pointed up (on the premise that a beetle with cigars to eat won't wander far - a possible error on my part) for humidity control. Once again, I have room. Remember, only you can prevent beetle outbreaks in your humidor.

I currently have 4 cigars that I received from an auction that are riddled with beetle holes and one larvae is visible. I'm leaving the zip lock they came in sealed and the bag set out on an out-of-the-way counter to see what develops. This is by far my biggest infestation ever and the only active one that I have ever found. btw, I smoked the undamaged on the other day and it was great!

Sadden · 02-15-2013, 01:53 PM

Mark make sure you document the carnage.

dragnframe · 02-15-2013, 02:08 PM

Once he gets rid of the bettles, What is the best way to prevent bettles from coming back?

dragnframe · 02-15-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milhouse

being that you have had beetles before, it seems like you have a temperature issue.

you said you freeze everthing... are you sure that you:

1. freeze everything before it goes in your humidor...
2. nothing that was not frozen goes into that humidor....

If yes to these 2 questions, I would guess you are not freezing long enough or at a low enough temperature.

it's better to be proactive than reactive.

So, are you sopose to freeze sticks befpre you put them in the humidor?

688sonarmen · 02-15-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJKJR

What's the advice when you find a live bettle in the humidor? I always do the freezer protocol that I've learned on this forum with all the cigars that I buy. About 2-3 months ago I saw a cigar with a beetle hole, which I discarded and then maybe 2-3 more since then. Last week I took the top shelf of the humidor off to get a cigar. When I lifted it back up to put it back on, I saw a beetle on the table. I think that was the bast#$@. So what should I do? Re-freeze the remaining cigars? Take out the remaining cigars and wipe out the humidor? Give them away to the forum members for free?

You forgot to add this

T.G · 02-15-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragnframe

Once he gets rid of the bettles, What is the best way to prevent bettles from coming back?

Clean the humidor and boxes properly, freeze all cigars and chances will be pretty low. If you do those right, and it's really not hard to, then you would require an outside source for re-contamination.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragnframe

So, are you sopose to freeze sticks befpre you put them in the humidor?

If your methodology is to freeze the cigars, then yes, you would want to do it before introducing them into the humidor.

mahtofire14 · 02-15-2013, 02:59 PM

Dang, now I'm gonna have to spend the next hour looking over my stash......

mahtofire14 · 02-15-2013, 11:50 PM

I've always wondered if you keep the celo on all your cigars, can the beetles get through it or would they be trapped in that one cigar?

pnoon · 02-15-2013, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahtofire14

I've always wondered if you keep the celo on all your cigars, can the beetles get through it or would they be trapped in that one cigar?

Beetles can and will chew thru cello.

02-15-2013, 07:59 AM	#1
JJKJR Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Joe Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 60 Trading: (0)	When You Find A Beetle What's the advice when you find a live bettle in the humidor? I always do the freezer protocol that I've learned on this forum with all the cigars that I buy. About 2-3 months ago I saw a cigar with a beetle hole, which I discarded and then maybe 2-3 more since then. Last week I took the top shelf of the humidor off to get a cigar. When I lifted it back up to put it back on, I saw a beetle on the table. I think that was the bast#$@. So what should I do? Re-freeze the remaining cigars? Take out the remaining cigars and wipe out the humidor? Give them away to the forum members for free?

02-15-2013, 08:08 AM	#2
chaase321 ZOTL's mmmmm brainssss Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Cole Location: Woodbridge VA Posts: 2,114 Trading: (81)	Re: When You Find A Beetle I'm sure there will be plenty of advice given here, but just my two cents... I would immediately quarantine everything that was in that humi. Put it all in double ziplock freezer bags and back into the freezer...which you may not be doing correctly (or freezer not getting cold enough) if you always do it but still had a beetle. Also, I keep all of my cigars on the lower level of the house, and about 10 degrees at all times below 75. This way, if there are eggs, they have a really hard time hatching. __________________ ZOTL our appetites will ALWAYS be bigger than your braaaiiiins... Support the Troop Support Contest 2014!!!

02-15-2013, 08:09 AM	#3
Zane Have My Own Room Join Date: Aug 2012 First Name: Zane Location: Noblesville, IN Posts: 1,508 Trading: (23)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Deep Freeze for a week. It happens to everyone. Here is a link to a video regarding it. http://bcove.me/o5r1kgic __________________ COO BlindMan's Puff

02-15-2013, 08:20 AM	#4
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Giving away cigars you KNOW to be infested is not a good thing. Unless you want to be ostracized by the cigar community. Posted via Mobile Device

02-15-2013, 08:24 AM	#5
Bondo 287 Runaway Train Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: Mikael Location: Unstable, PA Posts: 389 Trading: (0)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Yeah deep freeze as above. But just for laughs, while freezing, check the empty humidor. Thoroughly. Any crack or gap. If you have "bead media" for hydration make sure they aren't hiding in there. They can also climb into some types of hygrometers if it is the analog dial type. Never seen that, but still, they are shy critters, love to burrow, and have to be surviving somehow.

02-15-2013, 09:41 AM	#6
jjefrey Still Watching My Back Join Date: Feb 2013 First Name: Jeff Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 117 Trading: (1)	Re: When You Find A Beetle As already stated Deep Freeze treatment should get this taken care of.

02-15-2013, 10:15 AM	#7
milhouse Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 57 Trading: (0)	Re: When You Find A Beetle i would consider wrapping the humidor in saran wrap and freezing that too. might have some larvea tucked away.

02-15-2013, 10:16 AM	#8
milhouse Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 57 Trading: (0)	Re: When You Find A Beetle being that you have had beetles before, it seems like you have a temperature issue. you said you freeze everthing... are you sure that you: 1. freeze everything before it goes in your humidor... 2. nothing that was not frozen goes into that humidor.... If yes to these 2 questions, I would guess you are not freezing long enough or at a low enough temperature. it's better to be proactive than reactive.

02-15-2013, 10:22 AM	#9
cmitch Heads up get down Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Clayton Location: NW Alabama by the river Posts: 2,720 Trading: (25)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Beetle RYJ Habano devoured by beetle: __________________ No matter what one's status is in society, cigars are the great equalizer where the affluent and common share a love for the leaf. - Me.

02-15-2013, 10:35 AM	#10
cjhalbrooks I am behind you. SHHHHH Join Date: Dec 2011 First Name: Cory Location: Under a Bridge, trying to find the troll who stole my soul. Posts: 1,370 Trading: (20)	Re: When You Find A Beetle OKay you have me checking out ALL MY CIGARS. __________________ GMCGTPWHAF Tennessee Chapter. Down with the bloody BIG HEAD

02-15-2013, 10:41 AM	#11
hazydat620 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2012 First Name: Chad(choad, schoad) Location: PDX, the great Northwest Posts: 241 Trading: (10)	Re: When You Find A Beetle This is bad juju right here, but its like a wreck I cant look away from. I got a sick feeling in my stomach looking at that RYJ. __________________ " Buy the ticket, take the ride"- Hunter S. Thompson

02-15-2013, 10:53 AM	#12
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,625 Trading: (47)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Freezing, of course, if your best option. Freezing the humidor could result in warpage and is probably contraindicated. Follow the technique outlined in the sticky in one of the forums. After I get sticks out of the freezer and back to room temp, I tend to leave them in the sealed back for a couple of months in the humidor (but I have a very big humidor). Also, beware the gifted cigar. In spite of the other person's best anti-beetle precautions, one may slip through. I leave all gifted cigars in the original bags, usually until they are smoked. I do open the bags and have the open ends pointed up (on the premise that a beetle with cigars to eat won't wander far - a possible error on my part) for humidity control. Once again, I have room. Remember, only you can prevent beetle outbreaks in your humidor. I currently have 4 cigars that I received from an auction that are riddled with beetle holes and one larvae is visible. I'm leaving the zip lock they came in sealed and the bag set out on an out-of-the-way counter to see what develops. This is by far my biggest infestation ever and the only active one that I have ever found. btw, I smoked the undamaged on the other day and it was great! __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

02-15-2013, 01:53 PM	#13
Sadden Its only money... Join Date: May 2012 First Name: Colin Posts: 367 Trading: (0)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Mark make sure you document the carnage. __________________ If you want to party with the boys , be prepared to get up and work with the men the next morning. -Colin

02-15-2013, 02:08 PM	#14
dragnframe Still Watching My Back Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 60 Trading: (0)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Once he gets rid of the bettles, What is the best way to prevent bettles from coming back?

02-15-2013, 02:59 PM	#18
mahtofire14 Chillin in the Aging Room Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: Pete Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,588 Trading: (16)	Re: When You Find A Beetle Dang, now I'm gonna have to spend the next hour looking over my stash...... __________________ Saving basements in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

02-15-2013, 11:50 PM	#19
mahtofire14 Chillin in the Aging Room Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: Pete Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,588 Trading: (16)	Re: When You Find A Beetle I've always wondered if you keep the celo on all your cigars, can the beetles get through it or would they be trapped in that one cigar? __________________ Saving basements in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.