small beetle problem

[Alcibiates]

I thought beetles didn't care about the RH, just the temperature? In which case your igloo may be running a bit on the warm side and you may want to relocate it--I could very well be wrong here, though.

I would ask a friend if they have a freezer that you could use for a couple days to freeze the sticks just to make sure... But I'm paranoid about things like this and wouldn't want to take the chance of losing anymore sticks to the little buggers.

The method you're using now seems like it will work well enough, so long as there's humidifiers in all of the ziplocs, but I would make sure that everything is being stored <70 degrees, and I would have just pitched the whole box that the beetles came out of. Not sure what would want to make you keep a questionable box of cigars that beetles came out of...

[ReV]

<70 storage is not an option, I wish it were. You're correct on the problem though, the heat is most definitely what hatched the things. The house rides around 75, but over the summer the heat was too much for the AC and it was close to 77ish. I think they like it humid, but at these temps, it probably doesn't matter much. Thinking about it, I may go ahead and freeze all of the loose sticks, but I honestly don't have the resources for the ones in the boxes; 'wait and see' will have to do. My real problem now is back to the problem I've had all summer, how the hell can I lower the temp in my cooler without lowering the whole house.

[here'sjohnny]

ReV, in regards to your temperature problem, would it be possible to switch from a coolidor to a wine cooler? i know the switch may cost more, but the wine cooler could be set to the proper temp with a few modifications from the few things ive read on here. Don't know if it will work for you, buts its an option.

[CAJUNBLAZE]

I wonder if anyone has tried a small ice pack. Say like one of those small ziploc bags, freeze water in it, then wrap it in a paper towel and put it in another ziploc. I have the same problem, during the summer it can get as high as 78 in the house.

Rich

[DeeDubya]

I'm thinking about converting one of the "thermoelectric" wine coolers for my long term storage. They draw minimal current and can easily cool down to 60 or so. It would be a bargain compared to loosing a couple grand in stogs.

[ashauler]

I wonder if anyone has tried a small ice pack. Say like one of those small ziploc bags, freeze water in it, then wrap it in a paper towel and put it in another ziploc. I have the same problem, during the summer it can get as high as 78 in the house.

Rich

Try the blue-ice pack thingys, I've heard tell they work. They are most efficient used in combination with beads to regulate the humdity as the ice pack sweats. YMMV.

[Shelby07]

Hey Timm - I don't think there is such a thing as a "small" beetle problem. Take everything and distribute them to your friends to put in their freezers for 3-5 days. Make sure they put them in the refrigerator section for a day or so when they take them out.

Sorry to hear about the outbreak, but don't take a chance. If the little buggers did lay a new batch of eggs, there could be hundreds of them and you won't know about them for a few weeks.

Good luck!

EDIT: Be sure to clean out the igloo when it's empty.

[ReV]

Hey Timm - I don't think there is such a thing as a "small" beetle problem. Take everything and distribute them to your friends to put in their freezers for 3-5 days. Make sure they put them in the refrigerator section for a day or so when they take them out.

Sorry to hear about the outbreak, but don't take a chance. If the little buggers did lay a new batch of eggs, there could be hundreds of them and you won't know about them for a few weeks.

Good luck!

EDIT: Be sure to clean out the igloo when it's empty.

I emptied. cleaned and surveyed. Maybe i'm being niave, but I honestly don't think the things could physically get into most of my boxes as they're very tightly sealed and there was no evidence of beetles inside. The infestation was relatively new as there were only a few holes in a few sticks for the moment and everything that was loose or in a box that didn't seal well is now in the freezer. If you think they could have gotten in the closed boxes, I may try to find some way to get all the sticks in the freezer (like I said, I've never personally dealt with these), but I'm pretty confident in my selective freezing method. Luckily, its getting cooler here so I don't have to worry about cooling down my humis again for a few months at least.

[CAJUNBLAZE]

Try the blue-ice pack thingys, I've heard tell they work. They are most efficient used in combination with beads to regulate the humdity as the ice pack sweats. YMMV.

So, you have heard of this working?
Is it searchable here, I couldn't find anything.

I would freeze my whole stash, even if I had to do in two or three stages. Rotate the ones in the freezer to the fridge, then place another batch in the freezer and so on.

Rich

[ReV]

So, you have heard of this working?
Is it searchable here, I couldn't find anything.

I would freeze my whole stash, even if I had to do in two or three stages. Rotate the ones in the freezer to the fridge, then place another batch in the freezer and so on.

Rich

Thats not a half bad idea, rotating freezer space.