America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 22 years ago by penzt8. 11 replies replies.
Interesting
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
BJLM1970 Offline
#1 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 6:53 AM EST
Joined: 11-04-2000
Posts: 86
To my horror this morning when I checked my humidor there was some nasty intuders dead in my 50/50 solution(beetles). I have been keeping a small container about the size of a 2 liter cap filled with 50/50 seperate from the credos that have distilled water only. I live in Florida so the temp in my humidor is always bordering on 72-75 deg, but the humidity level is always dead on with this method. It seems to work well for me. The only cigars I could find with holes were one Ashton vsg(cry), one CohibaISOM(cry harder)and the cigar that I belive to be the culprit one fresh rolled cigar from tres hermanos in New Orleans from my last trip the other two cigars only had one hole in them but this cigar had about four. I am doing the freezer frig method to get rid of little buggers in the cigars.
My main question is why do you think the beetles were in the solution (7 of them) I did clean the rest of my humidor and checked all the other cigars but I can not rest now. And any suggestions for helping keep the temps low in my box I have central air that runs all day long and have moved this box to evey spot in my house I can think of but the temp never changes and yes I do have a good digital and I know about the +and- in degrees you can be btween, but I am only more parinoid now then ever before. Any suggestions or help would be great thanks guys I am now going to go drown my sorrows in a cold beer....Jason
CL Offline
#2 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 7:40 AM EST
Joined: 02-08-2000
Posts: 855
Now THAT sucks. I have no experience here. Someone help this poor guy out.
JonR Offline
#3 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 8:33 AM EST
Joined: 02-19-2002
Posts: 9,740
Well after a good cigar I like a dip in the pool maybe those seven beetles felt the same way LOL. Now for serious talk, from what you said you know what caused the infestation (all cigars should be inspected before placement in the humidor) you answered your own question. As far as your temperature and humidity I see nothing wrong with your numbers as mine in Philadelphia are the same and my sticks have a beautiful darker and slight oily sheen to them. However if you still want to lower the temperature put your humidor in a cardboard box or cooler that will leave at least 1-2" space around humidor fill space with frozen jell or ice packs wrapped in thin towels. How many and how often you refresh the ice packs depends on what temperature you decide on. Like I said early you made a mistake, don't make another by hitting the panic button. JonR
BJLM1970 Offline
#4 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 11:35 AM EST
Joined: 11-04-2000
Posts: 86
Thank you JonR but I think I did not put enough info in the story the cigar I think was holding the beetles is about 5 months old and did not appear bad before it hit my humidor. I do not have a huge collection of smokes problably less than 300 total I tend to lean toward quality more than quantity. My question was why did the beetles end up in the solution and is it an attractent and did I save my other cigars from these beetles because they drown in the solution and did not have time to dine on my cigars. All cigars carry beetle eggs and we have all probably smoked hundreds off them that never hatch. Do you think keeping the solution seperate so that if you do have a hatching(I dont wish it on any cigar smoker)will draw them away from your smokes, the solution I have is a food grade solution does this make a difference I dont know am I rambling on in udder disbelief that my cigars have been raped????? YES I need another beer....Jason
eleltea Offline
#5 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 12:45 PM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
Beetle eggs give cigars a taste faintly reminiscent of burt orange peel.
eleltea Offline
#6 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 12:46 PM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
You remember Burt. Dang. I meant burnt. Crap.
JonR Offline
#7 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 12:56 PM EST
Joined: 02-19-2002
Posts: 9,740
Yo BlJM1970 I went to 1/2 dozen web sites, Cigar Aficionado etc. and they all tend to agree with these numbers pertaining to the life cycle of the cigar beetle. Egg/6-10 days Larvae/6-10 weeks Pupal/1-2weeks Adult/2-4 weeks. If you take the maximum 20 weeks and divide it by 4 = 5 months. No site mentioned that beetles are attracted to water however humidity is measured by amount of water the air holds so it is a possibility, also there is a slim chance they were just trying to swim back to Cuba ( dumb joke ). As a cigar smoker I can feel your pain and frustration and I hope this information might help. JonR
cruiser Offline
#8 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 2:23 PM EST
Joined: 06-15-2001
Posts: 739
IMO Prophylene Glycol is a sweet solution, there was a big article about 20 years ago , where they put some in wine to make the wine tastier, i even found a little bit in dog jerkies,however this is kind of antifreeze and if you drink to much, you can play death man walking. So I gues this nice little critters got to much! AMEN
xrundog Offline
#9 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 5:27 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
I will state the obvious. Though I am no entymologist I would guess the bugs were trying to wash their meal down. Bugs drink too don't they? From what I have read 75F should be fine. You caught a bad break. I have never had an infestation but since finding this site, I put the sticks in the freezer first thing.
JonR Offline
#10 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 7:03 PM EST
Joined: 02-19-2002
Posts: 9,740
Opps Yo BJLM1970 had a short term case of dyslexia and typed BLJM which seems to look like I typed BUM1970 my apologies. JnoR
BJLM1970 Offline
#11 Posted: Sat, Apr 13 2002, 7:08 PM EST
Joined: 11-04-2000
Posts: 86
Ok sorry JonR if it seemed like I was a little on edge but under the surcumstances I hope you understand, I thank you all for the info on this subject I think I will also pre freeze most of my new cigars that I receive and see if this help me in the future. thanks again.....Jason
penzt8 Offline
#12 Posted: Sun, Apr 14 2002, 6:13 PM EST
Joined: 06-05-2000
Posts: 1,771
I don't have the reason but I've experienced the same thing. When I first set up my cabinet I experimented with different size humidifiers and arrangements of PG. Since the first time I found bugs floating in the PG, I have always keep a shallow bowl of it in my cabinet. I suspect they are drawn to the moisture.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top