Wood Mites

[Boss Hog]

While performing daily check of my stock I noticed a small creature walking around my Cohiba robustos, Panic stricken the word beetles sprang to mind. I quickly checked a few more and there they were struting up and down bold as brass. I moved & separated them straight away while I checked the rest. I couldnt find any signs of holes at all in any of them. Then i started to think they seemed to small to be beetles they were white and alot smaller than I expected.
Upon further investigation I discovered that they were Wood Mites.

This is what I've found from an article.

"Wood/tobacco mites are indeed very harmless and while they have been known to feed on the vegetable glue used to adhere cigar bands, these mites actually prefer water so you may find them crawling over your humidification device or feeding on any other water sources inside your humidor (this is why it's no longer advised that people keep a dish of distilled water inside their humidor as it will cause these mites to thrive.)

Although they're harmless, the sight of these mites can cause alarm for many people. I (along with many people) personally can't stand the sight of tobacco mites in humidors or stomach the idea that little bugs - albeit harmless - are walking all over my cigars so to keep my humidors neat and tidy, I'll occasionally wipe down my cigars with a soft cloth and vacuum my humidors with a soft-bristle attachment.

The lifespan of these tobacco mites is only a couple of weeks and because they do not live inside the cigars, freezing your cigars is not necessary. An occasional light cleaning and vacuuming of your humidor and cigars is perfectly fine."

Anyone else ever had these?

[larrysputnik]

This is the first I've ever heard of these. Good post boss.

[cj121]

Bugger.
No doubt wood mites are harmless to sticks Mark, but I'd be tempted to query whether tobacco mites are?? I must say, I'm not experienced with either.
Unless they've burrowed their way out of your humidor, they must have immigrated in on your sticks. As a bit of a test, isolate one or two and see if they develop into these muthafuggers

Lasioderma-serricorne.jpg

[Boss Hog]

Thanks CJ,
They definatley dont look like that more like this. They are white and slightly smaller than a grain of salt. If the tobbaco mites start of white as babies then turn brown with age. I'll have to see.
My initial thoughts were the baccy bugs due to the struggle with the temp I've had lately.



Fortunatley theres not much left in the humi as I am running it down to empty to prep for a delivery the family are bringing over soon. The wife is also currently in Cyprus and has called to say there is a Casa de Habano down the road from the hotel she's in and what would I like.

[cj121]

Your pic didn't show Mark, sorry. All I've got is a little red X, although it might be a setting on the laptop. Yeah, the temp thing can get a worry. I haven't read anything yet on how long higher temps/humidity needs to be maintained to hatch the varmins though.

Might be worth a cruise 'round 'tinternet to see of there's any pictures of young uns?

The wife asking what you'd like?? Brilliant mate.

My wife, during this pregnancy, has gone completely dead against the sticks, so good for you.

[Boss Hog]

Well, they have been separated for 10 days now and both of my humis have showed no signs of any hatching, holes etc. I have kept a close eye on them and no more have been seen.
I have cleaned out the humis and given them a wipe round with a cloth.
From what I have read these were definatley wood mites. Harmless to cigars but scary just the same.
Feels like I've just been given the all clear from the clinic.

[cesara valverde]

Really no need on the separation unless it's just for piece of mind. I've seen both; the pic you posted is definately a mite (feed on glue). As you say: they are much much smaller, and white, almost like a bit of bloom running around on your cigar.

Alos bear in mind: if you see a beetle you'll see a hole- they've got to get out of the cigar somehow, + mites are much more common nowadays.

Sleep easy

[Lascaux]

phew ive just found a little white mite infestation in my humi.
ive been keeping it at 75-80%, too humid and just noticed a slight mould in the corner of the humi.
scared me shitless till i remembered this thread saying they were wood mites and posed no threat!

hows best to clean out my humi now?

[Habana-Habanos]

Good post.

[Deano]

Wood mites come in cigar boxes etc. Harmless, but just a pain to see on ya 'gars.

Tiny white things, a good clean out or three will get rid.

And yes, cigar beetles will ultimately destroy your stock. Wood mites will do nothing except eat the gum from the cigar band.

[deltawhisky]

Yeah good post Boss, the last thing anyone wants is one of these b*gg*rs in the stash.

[mb55317]

Hi guys, recently switched off my wine cooler as its not warm any more and its been running a few days now around 67F.. opened up my Dukes this morning for a little check and have seen these white bugs you talk about.. they are as previously described just smaller than a grain of salt. They're also in my Lusitanias!

So just to confirm, these wont do any harm? Are their numbers likely to increase or will they die out? Thanks...

Cheers

[Lascaux]

ive had them a couple of times.
if they're the tiny tiny white bugs then they wont do any harm. but they will increase unless you clean them out.

they tend to stick near the humidifer. but brush and inspect all of your sticks, clean your humi out and clean the cigar boxes.

[tippexx]

Depends on how many eggs a female lays I'd reckon. Boss has got me totally paranoid now. Feel like burying the tup out in the snow an' freezing dead any buggies in it .... an' not bringing it back in till Springtime!

[mb55317]

All my gars are in their boxes in my wine cooler. The humi beads are placed in mesh and there doesnt seem to be any bugs in the mesh, but then i guess there wouldnt be if they like wood.

I've cleaned the sticks and hoovered the boxes. Hopefully that will be the end of it but i was shitting myself for a moment!

Cheers for confirming..