RASS Cigar Beetle Infestation

[bucfan444]

Anyone other RASS smokers have beetle problems with them? In the past 1-2 years I have discovered two separate outbreaks confined to my RASS boxes only. Yesterday, I tossed out another half a box and placed the remainder in deep freeze for a few days. These boxes are stored in an Aristocrate temperature controlled humidor at 65/68. The production dates range between 2011-2012
I immediately inspected any other boxes in the vicinity for infestation and even opened a few special sealed boxes to be sure. It's only the Specially Selected blends that are always affected.
Does anyone have any similar experience with Ramon Allones?
Could this simply be poor quality control at factory level as far as pesticides and storage procedures?
At this point I have (3) RASS boxes remaining and am moving them to quarantine although they show no signs of infestation.
Is there such a thing as specific blends being more prone to beetles due to production issues?

 

[LarryH]

Since you're storing them below 70 degrees it seems likely that there are already larva or beetles when you get them.  What I've read here and elsewhere says that all cigars have at least one beetle stage present.
 
When I found beetles in some of my cigars I froze them for a week then put them in the fridge for a few days to thaw out.  I've since smoked them all.  I didn't notice any issue other than the occasional loose draw. 

 

[Devil Doc]

What do you expect from Communists, beer and skittles?
 
Doc

 

[bucfan444]

Since you're storing them below 70 degrees it seems likely that there are already larva or beetles when you get them.  What I've read here and elsewhere says that all cigars have at least one beetle stage present.
 
When I found beetles in some of my cigars I froze them for a week then put them in the fridge for a few days to thaw out.  I've since smoked them all.  I didn't notice any issue other than the occasional loose draw. 

That makes sense Larry.
I've since started furiously smoking some of the less damaged ones out of spite to the beetles.

 

[jfields]

Do they pop when you smoke them?

 

[bucfan444]

Do they pop when you smoke them?

Not as of yet, but I'll get some satisfaction if I do hear a "pop"

 

[CigSid]

This is very unusual since about 2006 when all Cuban cigar exports are frozen for 5 days...
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/Havana-Corner-Freezing-in-Havana_2390

Before 2006, it happen to me several times, since then, I have been lucky not to have this happen...

 

[Backslide]

So do you have any custom rolled smokes in your humi?

 

[Light this!]

I know a great exterminator. Send those to me and I will make sure the beetles are dead however the cigars will be rendered useless and I would have to smoke them. Business for me is either dead or always dying.
 
Bucfan PM your addy and I will send you some Cigarette Beetle pheromone traps that you can put in your humi to monitor them. The pheromone traps act as a sex pheromone that attracts them to the trap. Early warning device. If you see some in the traps, that is a sure sign that there are more beetles around. 
 
Even though that you have it nailed down to two boxes, I would still remove everything from the humi and vacuum the entire humi with a crack crevice attachment. 
 
I have a box from 11 and 12 that I just checked with no sign of the buggers. 

 

[Gern Blansten]

Kris, do you use those in your walk-in?

 

[whylieineedacigar]

Kris, do you use those in your walk-in?

 
I was just about to ask this. Also, does the sex pheromone transfers to your cigars and then you have beetles having sex with your mouth in the middle of the night?

 

[tomthirtysix]

What do you expect from Communists, beer and skittles?
 
Doc

 
SkittleBräu?

 

[Light this!]

Kris, do you use those in your walk-in?

 
Jon, I do. They should be changed every month but they will last up to three. They are a bit pricey as well. You can google them and probably find a decent price. I get mine from my distributor. They come in different styles from but basically are like a sticky trap that you put the pheromone in the middle. You want to place these higher up to allow the odor to permeate better. Not something you can smell though and won't harm your cigars. The traps will attract any adult beetles present. 
 
The ones I use are these:
 

 

[bucfan444]

I know a great exterminator. Send those to me and I will make sure the beetles are dead however the cigars will be rendered useless and I would have to smoke them. Business for me is either dead or always dying.
 
Bucfan PM your addy and I will send you some Cigarette Beetle pheromone traps that you can put in your humi to monitor them. The pheromone traps act as a sex pheromone that attracts them to the trap. Early warning device. If you see some in the traps, that is a sure sign that there are more beetles around. 
 
Even though that you have it nailed down to two boxes, I would still remove everything from the humi and vacuum the entire humi with a crack crevice attachment. 
 
I have a box from 11 and 12 that I just checked with no sign of the buggers.

I found that exact trap, Serrico brand for 10 traps for $100 on doyourownpestcontrol.com
I and the rest of my humidor thank you as I never even knew these existed.
I am also going to take your advice and vacuum the humidor carefully just to sleep better at night.
Once again your insight is greatly appreciated.

So do you have any custom rolled smokes in your humi?

One half a box of my custom blend remaining. Not sure I'll be reordering again at $200 a pop. More of a conversation piece.

 

[Light this!]

You can get away with just putting one in the humi as they cover about about 200 sq ft. But like Jason said be careful with any custom rolled CC's. These in my experience are famous for beetles. I double zip lock mine and keep them way on top of my humi right next to a pheromone trap.

 

[bucfan444]

You can get away with just putting one in the humi as they cover about about 200 sq ft. But like Jason said be careful with any custom rolled CC's. These in my experience are famous for beetles. I double zip lock mine and keep them way on top of my humi right next to a pheromone trap.

*** Duly noted ***
Into isolation they are going next to remaining RASS

 

[Light this!]

 

Kris, do you use those in your walk-in?

 
I was just about to ask this. Also, does the sex pheromone transfers to your cigars and then you have beetles having sex with your mouth in the middle of the night?
 

 
Michael, you need to lay off the porn for a while brother! 

 

[whylieineedacigar]

 

 


Kris, do you use those in your walk-in?

 
I was just about to ask this. Also, does the sex pheromone transfers to your cigars and then you have beetles having sex with your mouth in the middle of the night?
 

 
Michael, you need to lay off the porn for a while brother! 
 


 
Don't be like that.
 
Thanks for sharing your knowledge Kris, I didn't know about these traps until today.
 
Bucfan, good luck with the extermination of these beetles and I hope that it doesn't happen again. I monitor my wooden humidors very closely as they do not have any cooling system in them. Thus far, I have been lucky.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Thanks for the info and pics, Kris. Very informative!!!

 

[bucfan444]

Kris, do you use those in your walk-in?

 
Jon, I do. They should be changed every month but they will last up to three. They are a bit pricey as well. You can google them and probably find a decent price. I get mine from my distributor. They come in different styles from but basically are like a sticky trap that you put the pheromone in the middle. You want to place these higher up to allow the odor to permeate better. Not something you can smell though and won't harm your cigars. The traps will attract any adult beetles present. 
 
The ones I use are these:
 

Kris
Thanks again as I purchased the Serrico traps you showed all of us. The traps came back "clean" after a week or so. Along with the traps I purchased " birth control" for any beetle outbreaks . The small capsules are placed in humidor, dont require direct contact, and are safe around food (or cigars). These are specifically made for areas where it is impossible to apply conventional pest control chemicals.
It basically makes the adult beetles sterile effectively breaking the life cycle of infestation, egg laying and ultimately reproduction.
I'm posting photo of product just in case anyone is interested.
As I see it, Serrico traps show an infestation and the Gentrol Point Source breaks the cycle. Each capsule last 3 months, more than enough time to cease the reproductive cycle.
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/album/1908-cigar-beetle-birth-control/
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/12025-cigar-beetle-birth-control/