Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 5/25/2008

Question
Bill

Is it a good idea to place all new cigars in the freezer for 3 days to destroy possible beetle infestation prior to storing in the humidor?

I purchased some cigars from my local tobacconist only to discover that after some time in my humidor tobacco beetles emerged. I am beginning to think that my supplier may have a problem with beetles. He does however carry one of my favourite smokes - Montecristo Petit Edmundo and I am considering purchasing a box.

After visual inspection, they all seem to be intact but one can never be too sure what's going on inside the cigar.

Looking forward to you advice

Answer
Johnathan,

You can freeze the cigars and it may help keep the beetles from hatching, however to kill the larvae you need to freeze the cigars at 20 degrees Fahrenheit below 0, and most home freezers won't get that cold.

If you do decide to freeze them, let them thaw for a day in the refrigerator and then put them back in the box. Too long in the refrigerator will cause them to dry out, but thawing them too quickly can cause them to wrinkle and possibly split.


This is a tough problem without an easy solution. Most reputable non-Cuban cigar manufacturers either fumigate or freeze their cigars prior to shipment so there is very little issue with cigarette beetles. I hear of more problems with Cuban cigars but just don't have a good solution for you.

Hope this helps.

Bill