Question: Do I have bugs?

Answer: Tobacco beetles are small and elusive. Manufacturers and store owners do a lot to make sure that they do not infest their crops and stogies. In addition to walking the fields and hand spraying the underbelly of the leaves (this is where beetles love to hide), prior to shipping, bunches of cigars are placed in a pressurized vault, and all of the air is sucked out, creating a vacuum. This vacuum is not strong enough to damage the cigars, but it is strong enough to shatter any beetle eggs.

You can tell if you have beetles in a couple of ways. First, if you notice small holes perforating your cigar. The second thing you may notice is black colored sand. This is beetle dung. Not only will it be in your humidor, but also in your cigar, leaving behind a foul taste and odor. The last, and most rare way that you can detect a beetle is through actually seeing one, though in truth they are about the size of a grain of sand.

There is a method to save your cigars if you think they are infected. Place all of them in an air-tight freezer bag. Be certain that it is sealed completely. To be safe, you may want to double or even triple bag it, repeating the same process. Leave them in the freezer for four days, then gently remove them and place them in the fridge for an additional 24 hours. If you are not careful, you can damage your cigars during this time, so handle them gently. Finally, take them out of the fridge, and let them sit at room temperature for 6-10 hours. While you are waiting, thoroughly clean out your humidor, and then put the cigars back in your humidor. They should now be rid of the suspected beetles.

Conclusion that is it for this article. In the next issue, we will cover more questions asked by the noobie and veteran alike. Stay tuned!