You are here:

Cigars/Beetles????

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/9/2009


Question
Hi James,

Hope all is well.

Today, while doing my weekly cigar rotation i noticed something scary...
A tiny and I mean tiny (Probably the size of the tip of a pencil) little transparent bug crawling on the wood of the humidor. Could this be a tobacco beetle?? I had a look and none of my cigars have any signs of infestation.
Could or do beetles live outside a cigar? Im really curious as to what this is. Every week I have a check of my cigars to see any signs of infestation but luckily, nothing to write home about.. Until today. Id really hate to have to freeze my cigars.

All your advise is much appreciated and hoping you have a great weekend.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Thomas,

No, those aren't tobacco beetles.  Those are actually tobacco mites and the good news is that they're 100% harmless to your cigars.  Tobacco mites are very common and are tiny bugs that cling to the cigars or tobacco during production.  They feed on moisture and bacteria and have a very short lifespan.  They can also be found near your humidification device as they love to thrive near water.  (This is one of the reasons why I never recommend keeping a dish of distilled water in your humidor.  They're harmless but also an unattractive sight in your humidor.)  They're usually transferred to your humidor from one cigar to another but again, your cigars are not at risk from them.  If you see these bugs in your humidor or on your cigars, simply brush them off.

A periodic cleaning of your humidor and new cigars that you buy (inspection, brushing, vacuuming, etc.) will eliminate them from your humidor.

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

Cigars

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.