Beetle Woe

[TheFez]

Hey guys, I received a few boxes from a trusted vendor today (not FoH). On inspection, I found one stick in one box that had a beetle hole. I found a single dead beetle at the bottom of the box, with its head separate from its body. I tapped each stick over white paper and did not notice a significant amount of tobacco dust, nor did I see any substantial amount at the bottom of the box. That stick is isolated, as well as the rest of the box. All the other cigars appear perfect. Attaching pictures, also have pictures of some of the feet as I'm not sure what to look for with regard to beetles at the bottom of the foot. What would you guys do in this situation?

[ha_banos]

The best bit about this story is the decapitated beetle. 

As for what I'd do? Freeze everything. And this box would stay in it's own tupperdor.

 

 

[Chibearsv]

8 hours ago, ha_banos said:

The best bit about this story is the decapitated beetle. 

As for what I'd do? Freeze everything. And this box would stay in it's own tupperdor.

Yep, just to keep any live larvae from hatching and ruining them all. After that, smoke them as you please. 

[TheFez]

8 hours ago, ha_banos said:

The best bit about this story is the decapitated beetle. 

As for what I'd do? Freeze everything. And this box would stay in it's own tupperdor.

Freeze everything in the shipment? Or just from that one box?

[Greenhorn2]

6 hours ago, TheFez said:

Freeze everything in the shipment? Or just from that one box?

I would freeze everything.  

[Havanaaddict]

Smoke them as fast as you can😜

The guys are right above freeze everything. I will put them in a gallon Ziploc freezer bag and everything should be fine.

[TheFez]

Day in the fridge, 2 days in the freezer, another day in the fridge, and a day at room temp sound right?

[ha_banos]

There's a thread here with a table in it and some experience. Couple days at 0F/-18C should do it IIRC.

https://www.fohcigars.com/forum/topic/142641-consensus-on-freezing-for-cigar-beetles/

[GaryK 54]

8 hours ago, TheFez said:

Freeze everything in the shipment? Or just from that one box?

I would freeze everything. Nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

[bmac]

15 hours ago, TheFez said:

Day in the fridge, 2 days in the freezer, another day in the fridge, and a day at room temp sound right?

That’s what I’ve done.Double ziplock or vacuum seal.

[SUP8333]

Ziplock, Freeze, remain in ziplock for the rest of its life. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

21 hours ago, TheFez said:

Freeze everything in the shipment? Or just from that one box?

[Zonum]

Never seen that aftermath of a beetle👀

[El Presidente]

It's common enough. 

Beetle hatches between the factory and the freezer. The freezer finished him. Hole left behind.

[Glass Half Full]

Every cigar I've received in the past several years gets treated the same: 3 days in the (sub-0 degrees) freezer; 1 day in the refrigerator; minimum 60+ days rest before smoking one.

While the risk of beetles is likely low...I am always wondering: "What's the upside in the risk:reward equation?"  

Answer: None. It's not worth the risk at current prices, let alone the impossibility of replacement.  

Freeze everything.