I figured I wasn't the only one who wanted to know what to look for and how much damage the can actually do. They can eat thru your box and even thru foil wrappers.?
For the love of god, I wont be able to sleep after seeing that. No wonders I keep an eye on my sticks everyday. Just shown the misses what the bastages look like and now she understands why I'm always checking.
Those were some of the tamer pics I found. It was really sad seeing the ones of whole humidors destroyed. Guess I'll tell my wife we can't go to Hawaii next summer. Someone has to be home to keep an eye out for them critters.
I also had a couple of sticks with beetles. I was such a noob I didn't realize and smoked them. What a god-aweful taste. One was a $30 cigar so I tried to tough it out awhile. Sicker than a dog afterwards. Realized later that hole was from a beetle! I apparently got them out of my humi before infecting the others as I have had no problems since. I freeze all my shipments now.
I also had a couple of sticks with beetles. I was such a noob I didn't realize and smoked them. What a god-aweful taste. One was a $30 cigar so I tried to tough it out awhile. Sicker than a dog afterwards. Realized later that hole was from a beetle! I apparently got them out of my humi before infecting the others as I have had no problems since. I freeze all my shipments now.
I've heard a few people mention on here that they freeze the sticks to rid the beetles, but does that really solve anything? Seems it would affect the cigar's flavor as well.
Freezing does not effect the flavor at all. The key is to start by placing them in the frig for about 24 hrs. then in the freezer then back into the frig again. Do this with the freezer bags and it will be fine. This kills any live beetles and may destroy the eggs too. Some big online retailers freeze the shipment when it arrives to them others don't.
I recentl read an article on beetles that said the best way to kill beetles and destroy the eggs is by putting the sticks in a vacuum this crushes the offending beetles and eggs. Evidentaly freezing doesn't do much to the eggs. Most of your cigar makers use this process according to the article.
I recentl read an article on beetles that said the best way to kill beetles and destroy the eggs is by putting the sticks in a vacuum this crushes the offending beetles and eggs. Evidentaly freezing doesn't do much to the eggs. Most of your cigar makers use this process according to the article.
... By the time the eggs and beetles are crushed, won't the wrappers be cracked pretty badly as well ? I don't think I would abuse my cigars that much.
I wondered about that to. Looked into it more and they use a big room so I guess it doesn't put pressure on the sticks themselves. I'm sure if I tried it with a vacuum bag it would probably break the stick. It's got me curious now I might go get a black and mild to test it out.
Yes, a vacuum is the only way to kill the eggs effectively. If you decide you want to do this I would think you would need something like a pump and seal system that is used for food storage. I have to admit that I have not done this myself with a cigar. I have with pipe tobacco but that is very different.
Yes, a vacuum is the only way to kill the eggs effectively. If you decide you want to do this I would think you would need something like a pump and seal system that is used for food storage. I have to admit that I have not done this myself with a cigar. I have with pipe tobacco but that is very different.
Some cigar manufacturer's ship their cigars vacuum sealed... They don't claim it's for beetles, but no air means no drying out of the sticks... I've used this method and have had no problems at all
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