Cigar beetles and humidity

[Ropey]

For some reason I always want to spell it "cigar beatles"...

So I understand that cigar beetles start to hatch when temps reach mid-70s F or higher. However, does humidity also affect hatching? Can keeping RH low prevent hatching, even if temps rise?

(Hot weekend here in CA).

[HabanoMan]

Just keep your humidity in the acceptable ranges and temps under 71 and you will be good to go. Temp is the major factor at play concerning beetles.

[Ropey]

I'm actually looking for more specific information about RH, specifically, and beetle hatching. I have the cigars in the coldest spot in the house and have no way to reduce the temperature any more. No wineadors, coolers or anything. And I can't purchase any.

I guess I should phrase my question differently: Can anybody point me to any reputable internet resources that talk about the effect of RH on beetle hatching?

Thanks again!

[HabanoMan]

Ropey Here is a link about it from Purdue University http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-239.pdf (http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-239.pdf)

[Cameradude]

From my own personal experience beetles will hatch if the temps rise and RH remains stable. I keep my RH at 64-66% in my coolers using a combination of Boveda and Heartfelt beads. I was doing some organization of my coolers and moved them into my office because I have table space to work on. Because of the computer equipment my office can range between 70-78 degrees. The week or so that I had everything in my office I had beetles start eating away on a Victor Sinclair. Luckily it was caught early and was an isolated incident. But the particular cigar had been in a cooler at 65% with temps ranging from 60-72 and did not have an issue for months. It was only when the temps raised while in my office that they began to hatch. RH never changed.

[Tobias Lutz]

You could simply freeze your cigars and be done with it (not trying to turn this into a freezing discussion- just throwing it out there).

[projectsunfire]

get a wineador and never look back! ;)

[anthony d]

+1 on freezing...

[Browns7213]

There actually was a great post by ssaka at the other place that discussed beetle hatching temps/humidity. While I don't remember everything in his post, what I found fascinating was that below 70/70 usually prevents hatching, but also over a certain temp/RH level also prevents hatching. Unfortunately, those higher temps/Rh will make your cigars pretty soggy.

[Tgs679]

Freeze your sticks

[Puff]

I've never went to the extent of freezing my sticks. I know many have great success with this process but in the years I've been smoking, I've never had any problems with just keeping the cigars stored the conventional way. I prefer about 65% humidity and temps usually don't get much above 70 degrees.

I remember years ago (when I once lived in Florida and this was a big concern for me) I was told the magic number of 140. That is, between your humidity and temp, keep the number at 140 or less and you should be fine. Now I know that is certainly not a scientific answer or approach, but I do believe it is a fairly good gauge to use.

[Ropey]

Ropey Here is a link about it from Purdue University http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-239.pdf (http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-239.pdf)
Perfect, exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much.

[Lostmason]

Ropey Here is a link about it from Purdue University http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-239.pdf (http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-239.pdf)

So I would gather from this, RH has little to no effect one way or the other it's all about the temps,on the other hand the mold issues will be equal parts RH and temps.

[Tobias Lutz]

So I would gather from this, RH has little to no effect one way or the other it's all about the temps,on the other hand the mold issues will be equal parts RH and temps.

"Low humidity generally inhibits
hatching, with the effect becoming more pronounced above
and below 86°F. The optimum relative humidity is 70-80%"

I think this clearly say that those of us who store around 60% are less likely to see a hatching

[HabanoMan]

So I would gather from this, RH has little to no effect one way or the other it's all about the temps,on the other hand the mold issues will be equal parts RH and temps.


"Low humidity generally inhibits
hatching, with the effect becoming more pronounced above
and below 86°F. The optimum relative humidity is 70-80%"

I think this clearly say that those of us who store around 60% are less likely to see a hatching

I agree with Tobias. Seems that as long as you keep your stash at an acceptable RH that it's effect on cigars will be minimal to non-existant. Temp is by far the main concern here.

Also yes, temp and RH have an effect on mold.

[Lostmason]

Thank You gentlemen,that answers some un-asked questions of my own.

[Mister Moo]

...I have the cigars in the coldest spot in the house and have no way to reduce the temperature any more. No wineadors, coolers or anything. And I can't purchase any.

Such was my 1st year of cigar keeping in eastern NC several years ago; summer came, the house got too warm and I found some very nice cigars being eaten alive. The costly cure was keeping the A/C around 67* all day in a house that was vacant during the working day except for my cigars :D. Soon thereafter I got lucky and stumbled on to a mega-bargain close-out winecooler - worked great - house at 80* all day and cigars hanging at 65* for less tha a song. Funny enough, about a year later we moved to a house with a large (one window) basement that stays pretty much 66/66 all year with the ducts closed. Winecooler got unplugged about seven years ago and I spray in a little water once or twice each winter.

Seems like your best deal short of cooling a home in a hot climate would be storing offsite; or finding a place with a dark basement; or buying a couple of cigars at a time when you want to smoke them; or take the ultimate escape and start smoking a pipe. :pipe:

[FireRunner]

Just FYI all major cigar manufactures freeze their cigars prior to shipping. I've been told from actual cigar company reps and managers. While many still fear beetles taking simple care of your sticks goes a long way. My brother and I have been smoking for over 20 years and we have yet to have one beetle.

Keep your cigars in a cool place and keep the RH under 70. That works for us for over two decades. However, most (if not all) information on beetle prevention has already been posted above me.

[CamoSutra]

Anyone with a coolerdor and a refrigerator can bring down the coolerdor's temperature easily. Wrap a cold can or two of whatever beverage you have handy in a dish towel or hand towel, put that into a ziplock bag, and place in cooler until the interior temperature is more to your liking (or the cans have warmed up to the same temp as the cooler). The towels will provide insulation keep the temperature from dropping too quickly, while the plastic bag keeps moisture from the air inside the cooler from condensing and lowering the RH. You can also use a refreezable "blue ice" pack; just wrap it a little more and it will probably stay cold for several hours.

[wabashcr]

Just FYI all major cigar manufactures freeze their cigars prior to shipping. I've been told from actual cigar company reps and managers. While many still fear beetles taking simple care of your sticks goes a long way. My brother and I have been smoking for over 20 years and we have yet to have one beetle.

Keep your cigars in a cool place and keep the RH under 70. That works for us for over two decades. However, most (if not all) information on beetle prevention has already been posted above me.

I do believe major manufacturers freeze everything, but it doesn't protect the cigars from cross-contamination in warehouses or even in your own humidor. Even though a cigar is frozen, you never know what it's been exposed to in the meantime.

That said, I don't freeze anything except custom CCs, and I've never seen a beetle. It's just not on my radar. I keep my cigars at or under 70 for the most part, and in the low 60s RH. I understand there's a little bit of risk, but I'm ok with it.