Expert: James Yee - 8/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi James, hope all is well.

What is the cause of tobacco beetles? My humidor is currently at 74% humidity and 70 degrees. Should I be worried?
What is a good way to drop humidity when it reaches a higher then normal level?
Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Tommy,

Tobacco beetles actually appear when the humidor's temperature is too high.  What happens is that many cigars already have tobacco beetle eggs inside the tobacco.  These eggs are laid before the cigars are rolled and if not spotted, are left in the tobacco as it is sent to production.  If the temperature is less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, these eggs are dormant and harmless.  When the temperature rises above 75 degrees, these eggs will incubate and eventually hatch.  The beetles will then burrow and feed through the cigars.  (Do you ever hear a crackle or pop when you smoke a cigar? That's a dormant tobacco beetle egg combusting from the heat.)

To reduce your chance of tobacco beetles appearing, just make sure your humidor's temperature does not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  (70 degrees is good.)  Avoid keeping your humidor near windows or major sources of direct lighting such as sunlight, hot desk lamps and other heat sources such as a television or computer.  

If you're still worried about your humidity being high, you can add a 50/50 pre-mixed humidor solution or a 50/50 mixture of Propylene Glycol and distilled water to your humidification device.  (Propylene Glycol is the key ingredient in the 50/50 humidor solutions.)  High humidity can still lead to mold growth and a 50/50 mixture should limit your humidor's humidity output to exactly 70% humidity.  Mixing your own propylene glycol solution is recommended because it allows you to fine-tune the mixture so that you can create a more desired humidity level. (Some people prefer humidity to be more or less than 70%.)  Propylene Glycol is available at most cigar stores, tobacconists, drug stores and pharmacies.

When using Propylene Glycol, it is important to remember that it may take up to a week for the humidity to stabilize and you only need to use this mixture just once.  Propylene glycol can last a long time inside your humidor (on average, 2 years) so after adding it, just add distilled water to your humidfication device when needed.

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your expertise. Just a last one.
My humidor reached 76 degrees yesterday for about 12 hours. Once I noticed it, I immediately took action and lowered the temp to 70. Since then, (over 24 hours now) it has been at 70.
My humidor is almost always at 70-72 degrees. Just this once I did not close the window and the heat rose.
Is this cause for concern? Have I just destroyed my cigars?

Thanks James, all the best

ANSWER: Hi Tommy,

Tobacco beetle eggs require prolonged exposure to high temperatures in order for them to incubate and hatch.  Eggs usually hatch when the temperature is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit but they have been known to incubate and hatch at 75 degrees.  12 hours exposure can be enough time for the beetles to hatch but if your cigars doesn't have any signs of tobacco beetle damage by now, they're probably safe and not in any danger.  Examine all your cigars closely for any signs of bug damage.  

If you want to be extra sure your cigars are safe, put all your cigars in a sealed tupperware container and then put the container in the freezer for 48 hours.  This will kill any beetle eggs that are incubating inside the cigars.  After 48 hours, return the cigars to your humidor and let them sit for at least two weeks before smoking them.

If your cigars doesn't have any visible holes, they can still be saved.  Once a beetle has chewed through a cigar, the cigar should be thrown away.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Last question then im going to enjoy Torontos crap summer weather lol
Would I see the damage in the tobacco part of the cigar or on the wrapper itself? What should I look for exactly?
The cigars look fine as of now so hopefully nothing bad has happened.
All the best James and thanks again!

Answer
Hi Tommy,

When hatched, a tobacco beetle will feed and chew through the cigar so the damage would first start as a tiny pinhole or crack in the wrapper that expands into a large hole the more the beetle feeds.  The beetle is basically tunneling his way to the surface of the cigar.  You can also feel the cigar for any irregular bumps.  Also, if you tap on the cigar, there will be a loose, fine powder which is a combination of chewed up tobacco and beetle fecal waste.

Regards,
James