home | about us | shipping policy | check out | my account

 Cigars | Wine | Lighters | Humidors | Accessories | Gift Baskets | Gift Certificates | LIVE HELP

Subscribe for Email Specials !

Cigar Beetles

We have heard many of the times about "my cigars have holes" stories. Well, that is Cigar Beetle. Cigar Beetle belong to the common Drugstore beetle family, but they are found in tobacco products. They are also known as Cigarette Beetle.

Common steps to control the beetle infection :

Once cigars have been brought home, consumers should inspect their humidors every few days, especially if they live in a hot or humid climate, or purchase cigars more than once a week.

If beetles are in a desktop humidor, it's hard not to tell. Look for bugs flying up when the humidor's top is opened, or for a pinhole-sized circle in your cigar. If you see a beetle, don't panic; the cigars are salvageable.

Even though manufacturers and retailers take precautions against beetles, it's not impossible for a few to sneak through into your cigars, or for you to pick up a few beetles that fly over from the kitchen cupboard or pet food container. In a recent poll taken on this site, 28 percent of respondents reported they had experienced a beetle infestation. Fortunately, 72 percent of those who had suffered an infestation were able to salvage their cigars. While horror stories of massive infestations in desktop humidors exist, most beetle problems in the home are moderate and manageable.

If you see signs of damage, take immediate action. Put all the cigars from an infected humidor in a zipped plastic bag and place them in your freezer for three days. If the cigars are still in their box, put the whole box into the freezer. Treat all of your cigars, because if you have one damaged cigar, you have to assume they're all at risk. Freezing infested cigars kills any beetles or eggs inside, preventing your beetle problem from spreading. Some experts even suggest freezing your cigars twice, to be doubly sure. "Freezing twice will ensure the beetles and their eggs have been killed," says Ridge-O'Connor. "It's the only foolproof way to get rid of them if you find them in your home."

After three days in the deep freeze, move the cigars into your refrigerator to avoid shocking the smokes from the temperature change, which could split their wrappers. In the meantime, wipe your empty humidor clean with a damp cloth. Don't use any type of cleaner or disinfectant--it will ruin the wood and leave an odor that will taint your cigars. After one day in the refrigerator, the cigars can be returned to the humidor. Include some strips of cedar to absorb the excess moisture being released.

Now it's time to address the problem that caused the beetles to hatch. Your humidor was probably too moist or too hot. Use a digital hygrometer thermometer to get an accurate reading, and consider whether the room that houses your humidor isn't subject to temperature extremes when you're not around. Make sure the box is not in direct sunlight, and check your humidification system. If you're using a homemade system, or have a cheap, ineffective product, invest in a high-quality device. Your cigars are worth it. At least, the beetles think so.