Cigars/tobacco beetles
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Question
I cant seem to find a clear answer so i thought i would pose this question here. Do tobacco beetles live in all cigars as the larva, and then hatch when conditions are right? Or are they indigenous to certain areas and find their way into cigar boxes and reproduce?
Im asking because i cant seem to find a 100% clear way to make sure that my cigars will be kept at 70 degrees or less. Im going to have enough trouble keeping the humidity right living here in vegas...
Hi Cody,
Tobacco beetle eggs are not found in every cigar. When tobacco is grown in the fields or and sent to the factories' fermentation rooms, tobacco beetles will lay tiny eggs on the leaves. If these eggs are not spotted and removed during pre-production, they will be inadvertently rolled into the cigars where they remain dormant. Under normal temperatures, these eggs are harmless but once the cigars have reached prolonged exposure to 75 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, the eggs will incubate, hatch and tunnel its way out of the cigar(s).
Cigar factories do try to remove as much of the beetle eggs as possible through rigorous inspection and cleaning but sometimes these annoying pests will slip past inspection.
Maintaining proper temperatures in Las Vegas is definitely a challenge. What you can do is either keep your humidor in an air-conditioned room or in a cooler part of the house such as a basement or wine cellar and your cigars should be fine.
Hopes this answers your questions. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
James
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| Comment | Thank you sir, you answer has been most helpful. I just hope that i can avoid them. | ||
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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