What temp do beetles hatch?

[rectifythis]

Ok guys, I did a search on this and everyone has a slightly different opinion. I've heard every number from 65 degrees to 80 degrees will hatch the lil bastiges. I live in hellfire-and-brimstone Arizona where it gets to be 118 degrees in the summer and my AC couldn't keep my house below 74 even if I fed it jet fuel. Now let me say that if I DID keep it mid 70's in the summer, my electric bill would be $300. Even now in almost December it hovers in the low 70's here. My humidity is always around 65 so I'm good there. Am I ok or do I need to take take drastic measures in the coming months? Hmmm, this is becoming a very expensive pleasure...(insinuating a wine-o-dor)

 

[BagfullofPings]

You and I are in the same boat.

I covered this situation a few days ago. "Wine Cooler Conversion". It is a few post below your post.

 

[oknewb]

I am not sure on the specific temperature that they hatch, but last summer here in OK, my humi almost hit 80 degrees sometimes and I never had a beetle problem. Even now, it stays around 70-75, and it seems fine.

 

[Herfin Bigdog]

It is my understaning that it is both consistent high heat and high humidity that will promote beetle eggs to hatch. And I don't know what consistent means in terms of time. If your humi' is at a reasonable RH, I don't think it should be a problem. Arizona routinely has low humidity doesn't it? That should not contribute to increasing the RH in your humidor.

I'm pretty sure my humi' has hit 74 degrees and higher at times, but my RH is always between 68-70. I (knock on wood) have never had a problem with beetles.

But, perhaps someone who has had more experience can answer with more certainty than I.

 

[Strayvector]

I live in Tucson and have the same problem. Last year I picked up a Haier 24 bottle wine cooler and that has solved my problems. I keep most of my cigars in it and for immediate smoking, I keep some cigars in a locker at the local b&M and some in a desktop humi. I've only had a tabacco worm hatch in my desktop humi. The little bugger came out of a Tatuaje and thankfully I caught it before it was able to chew on other cigars. The home desktop humi stays consistent at 67% humidity, but the temp fluctuates between 74 to 78 degrees in the summer, so I suspect that if your temp is as high as mine, you might have something to worry about. With the recent development of Cuba freezing their cigars prior to shipment, I'm much more lax about checking my Cuban cigars for beetle outbreaks. I still check the NCs in my desktop humi regularly though.

 

[bilder]

I read that they can hatch anywhere above 70-72 degrees.

 

[Dave]

my humidor can reach anywhere between 64-76 degrees F, no beetles that I can see yet. the RH is a good 65% thanks to the puck. I've had tupperdors that were kept at 70-74 degrees F and 96% RH!!!!! (not a typo, this is before I heard of all the goodies like beads and PG solution) no beetles, and my Excalibur smoked nicely.

So I can only infer that a combination of 78+ degrees F and high humidity will result in bettles hatching. However, I think the temperature is more important than the RH when concerning keeping beetle eggs dormant. Then again I'm a newbie and this is still just speculation.

 

[Burnt Tongue]

Send your cigars to me I live in a cool place (summers only get about a high of 85) my ac keeps the house at 70. I will watch for beetles and take good care of your cigars.

 

[Satchmo]

Here is a clip from a Cigar Aficionado article:

"Biology of the Beetle
Known by entomologists as "cosmopolitan" insects, tobacco beetles are found all over the world, but only in environments where the temperature exceeds 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Adult beetles measure about two to three millimeters long. They have wings and can fly, but live only for an average of two to four weeks. Brownish-red, they have serrated antennae for touching and smelling; these antennae steer them toward the warm habitats where they nest and breed."

That is the first time I have heard of 65° being target for popping beetle eggs. The humidor needs to have approximately a 70% humidity IN ADDITION to the heat factor. So, being in AZ, you should have too much problem managing the humidity... your dry heat should keep you in the green even if the temp rises slightly over 70°.

Just my thoughts, and I have just finished my sixer of Guiness, so take it for what it is worth :laugh:

Quade

 

[rectifythis]

Send your cigars to me I live in a cool place (summers only get about a high of 85) my ac keeps the house at 70. I will watch for beetles and take good care of your cigars.

I knew that was comin'!

Hmmm....again, all varying opinions....where's Wilkey? I need him to chime in with a page of some scientific wisdom here.

 

[Shooter]

My temperature stays pretty consistent at 70. I have never had a problem.

 

[rectifythis]

But that's what I'm saying....I can't keep it at 70 or lower...in the summer I usually keep it around 78 and that's pushing it.

 

[Allofus123]

What kind of cigars (brands) are you storing?

Yes, beetles can hatch at 65 in ideal conditions but staying under 70 will usually keep you from the little varmits. Just because others have had their humidors at 78 degree's and never had a beetle means nothing. Thats like saying I drive a car every day and never had an accident so I'll never ever have an accident. If you're looking for an exact number on temperture and humidity forgetaboutit. Its a combination of temp and humidity that allows the eggs to hatch and it will vary. Check your cigars regularly!

The reason I asked you what brands of cigars you smoke is that many cigars have a lot less risk of having beetles than others. You just need to check out how each manufacturer or Distributor handles shipments of their product. Check your cigars regularly!

If you will be storing your cigars in a enviroment consistently higher than 70 degree's it is advisable to have two humidors. A coolidor works great for this. Store any and all incoming cigars in the coolidor. I wood keep them in quarenteen for several months. Check them regularly.

So that everybody can enjoy their next cigar.... don't anyone think that they haven't smoked beetle eggs before. Trust me... you have. hehe!

 

[rectifythis]

Oh yeah, smokin beetle eggs...no problem...doesn't gross me out at all. The lil' bastiges crawling in my mouth would gross me out.

How should vendors handle shipment? The cigars I have in quaranteen (due to visible larva 3 days after arrival) are from Chicago and travelled to Arizona. Took 3-4 days from door to door. My thoery is, It loads onto the UPS truck at 7am here but the route to my house is always between 4 and 5pm without fail. Consequently, they are exposed to the elements for 9 hours and it was in the high 80's that week. So, Unless I order a whole year's worth in December/Jan, I think I'm screwed...er, at risk. Or can they ship overnight? I assume this would mean drastic temp/humidity changes (being at 37,000 feet) and risk crackage and what not. I am not familiar with the actual method that reputable vendors/distributors normally use.

 

[Dave]

I think 10 hours is enough time to build humidity and temperature that can bring beetle eggs out of their dormant state, and because UPS doesn't ship packages in refridgerated trucks is also another problem.

I'm seriously considering buying all of my cigars during the winter time because summers do get brutal in NYC, humidity and temperature wise. I am also looking at several wine coolers at the moment, might as well do it now before the summer time comes.

As for overnight shipping, that depends entirely on the retailer.

.... hmmmm smoked beetle eggs, the breakfast of champions.

 

[interscape]

Ok guys, I did a search on this and everyone has a slightly different opinion. I've heard every number from 65 degrees to 80 degrees will hatch the lil bastiges. I live in hellfire-and-brimstone Arizona where it gets to be 118 degrees in the summer and my AC couldn't keep my house below 74 even if I fed it jet fuel. Now let me say that if I DID keep it mid 70's in the summer, my electric bill would be $300. Even now in almost December it hovers in the low 70's here. My humidity is always around 65 so I'm good there. Am I ok or do I need to take take drastic measures in the coming months? Hmmm, this is becoming a very expensive pleasure...(insinuating a wine-o-dor)

Gilbert AZ here. I have only been at this a few months but no bugs yet in my desktop humidors with a temp of 81-85 65-70 RH. Let me clarify for Rectify (if I may be so bold) 65 RH in a well maintained humidor is what he means. My household RH is less than 30% most of the year and before the monsoon starts it is single digits. I have had several cigars’ wrappers crack and peel as I smoke them. "It’s a dry heat" is practically AZ's motto.
Les

 

[Shooter]

Oh yeah, smokin beetle eggs...no problem...doesn't gross me out at all. The lil' bastiges crawling in my mouth would gross me out.

How should vendors handle shipment? The cigars I have in quaranteen (due to visible larva 3 days after arrival) are from Chicago and travelled to Arizona. Took 3-4 days from door to door. My thoery is, It loads onto the UPS truck at 7am here but the route to my house is always between 4 and 5pm without fail. Consequently, they are exposed to the elements for 9 hours and it was in the high 80's that week. So, Unless I order a whole year's worth in December/Jan, I think I'm screwed...er, at risk. Or can they ship overnight? I assume this would mean drastic temp/humidity changes (being at 37,000 feet) and risk crackage and what not. I am not familiar with the actual method that reputable vendors/distributors normally use.

Actually they wouldn't get to 37000 feet, the plane would be pressurized and at that altitude with about a 7.8 psi differential it would be 8000 feet. Nothing to worry about. At least thats the case with the ship I drive.

 

[rectifythis]

Oh yeah, smokin beetle eggs...no problem...doesn't gross me out at all. The lil' bastiges crawling in my mouth would gross me out.

How should vendors handle shipment? The cigars I have in quaranteen (due to visible larva 3 days after arrival) are from Chicago and travelled to Arizona. Took 3-4 days from door to door. My thoery is, It loads onto the UPS truck at 7am here but the route to my house is always between 4 and 5pm without fail. Consequently, they are exposed to the elements for 9 hours and it was in the high 80's that week. So, Unless I order a whole year's worth in December/Jan, I think I'm screwed...er, at risk. Or can they ship overnight? I assume this would mean drastic temp/humidity changes (being at 37,000 feet) and risk crackage and what not. I am not familiar with the actual method that reputable vendors/distributors normally use.

Actually they wouldn't get to 37000 feet, the plane would be pressurized and at that altitude with about a 7.8 psi differential it would be 8000 feet. Nothing to worry about. At least thats the case with the ship I drive.

I meant at 37000 ft the cargo hold is usually ice cold. So it would go from a truck at normal temp, to plane at icy temp in a very very short period of time, hence, no time for the stogies to adjust to the drastic temp change. I think.

 

[Shooter]

Oh yeah, smokin beetle eggs...no problem...doesn't gross me out at all. The lil' bastiges crawling in my mouth would gross me out.

How should vendors handle shipment? The cigars I have in quaranteen (due to visible larva 3 days after arrival) are from Chicago and travelled to Arizona. Took 3-4 days from door to door. My thoery is, It loads onto the UPS truck at 7am here but the route to my house is always between 4 and 5pm without fail. Consequently, they are exposed to the elements for 9 hours and it was in the high 80's that week. So, Unless I order a whole year's worth in December/Jan, I think I'm screwed...er, at risk. Or can they ship overnight? I assume this would mean drastic temp/humidity changes (being at 37,000 feet) and risk crackage and what not. I am not familiar with the actual method that reputable vendors/distributors normally use.

Actually they wouldn't get to 37000 feet, the plane would be pressurized and at that altitude with about a 7.8 psi differential it would be 8000 feet. Nothing to worry about. At least thats the case with the ship I drive.

I meant at 37000 ft the cargo hold is usually ice cold. So it would go from a truck at normal temp, to plane at icy temp in a very very short period of time, hence, no time for the stogies to adjust to the drastic temp change. I think.

Heated, they ship liquids and livestock ya know....

The plane is pressurized as a whole. In general the plane will be pressurized with the same body of air, it would equalize temperature wise. As per the drivers you think we are gonna freeze our asses off?

 

[lath19]

But that's what I'm saying....I can't keep it at 70 or lower...in the summer I usually keep it around 78 and that's pushing it.

I live in Southern California where it gets plenty warm in the summer and was having the same problem. I was able to get through the hot season by putting my humidor in an ice chest next to an ice pack. Every morning I would change in another frozen "blue ice" pack. Left the thing on a towel next to the humidor and it would keep the temp anywhere from 62-70 during the day. Not sure if it was necessary or not but I left the lid on the ice chest cracked so that it wasn't air tight.

Having a good looking humidor sitting in an ice chest isn't the prettiest thing in the world but it kept the temp where it needed to be and my smokes beetle free.