You read that right, there’s a bug that eats holes through your cigars.
It’s called the “Cigar (or Tobacco) Beetle,” and it looks like this:
These pests are found worldwide, and they appear out of seemingly nowhere… even if you don’t smoke cigars.
These tiny monsters can be found in cereal boxes, cacao, coffee beans, flour, pet food, and just about anything else you store in your cabinets.
Cigar beetles love dark, warm, and humid places…
So it’s best to keep your humidor 70 degrees or less, and away from warm humid spots.
Once these tobacco-chewing devils find your stash… neither cedarwood nor cellophane will save your cigars.
If your cigars fall victim to these beetles, you will notice pinhole-sized holes “drilled” through your cigars.
(And tobacco dust around your cigar)
You’ll know if you have an infestation by picking up your cigar, turning it around, and shaking it lightly.
If you see tobacco dust falling out of your cigar, then follow this 4-step “Beetle Extermination Plan”.
Step 1
Throw that cigar away AND empty all the contents of your humidor.
DO NOT SMOKE THAT CIGAR – you will get sick if you do.
Step 2
Seal each cigar in a separate plastic bag and place them in the freezer.
Step 3
Keep your cigars in the freezer for 3 days while inspecting, cleaning, and disinfecting your humidor.
Step 4
Move your frozen cigars into your fridge for 24 hours and then back into your humidor.
These beetles will spread like wildfire and eat a humidor worth of cigars – if you ignore the signs…
Despite their 40 to 90-day life cycle, each beetle can lay a batch of 100+ eggs that are naked to the human eye…
While you won’t spot the eggs, you can spot the holes and tobacco dust.
So open and inspect your humidor every few days for tobacco dust – if you think you have an infestation.
After all, you don’t want the cigar beetles to enjoy your delicious Bongani cigars before you do.
Kamal,
Bongani Cigars
P.S. Cigar beetles are not so common that you should live in fear.
