Netherlands: Coping with the Cigarette Beetle

Source from:  Tobacco Asia  11/08/2013

As if the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne, was not enough of a nuisance already because of its presence and the damage caused, it is also one of the world's most anoxia tolerant insect species, with the eggs and last instar larvae likely to be the most tolerant stages. In simple terms this pest can live in its various forms in atmospheres containing remarkably tiny amounts of oxygen.

That means it is the toughest insect to neutralise by use of controlled atmosphere treatments. CORESTA, in a guide issued in May 2012, said: "Increasing concerns over the use of toxic compounds, linked to health and environmental fears, as well as the ineffectiveness of fumigations below 16°C (61°F) and the development of phosphine resistant populations, have fuelled the need to find alternative control methods."

One of the participants in the CORESTA controlled atmosphere task force is b-Cat and vQm Packaging, a Dutch company that offers solutions worldwide to the problem of eradicating these pests. The company says that insect control in stored tobacco has tended to rely on the use of fumigation and contact pesticides applied as space or surface sprays within structures (not directly on the tobacco). Increasing concerns over the use of toxic compounds, linked to health and environmental fears, as well as the ineffectiveness of fumigations below 16°C (61°F) and the development of phosphine resistant populations, have fuelled the need to find alternative control methods.

As Rene Luyten, director of vQm Packaging, told us, his company's solutions to the problem are meeting with considerable success in a wide variety of tobacco applications. There are a number of alternative solutions which can be applied individually or in combination, and the company can advise on the best methods to deal with the beetle (and other pests) in any particular situation and indeed throughout the client's supply chain.
The alternative treatment that b-Cat developed creates a controlled atmosphere where the conditions inside a gas-tight room can be controlled very accurately. To treat infested tobacco, the oxygen level inside the treatment rooms is brought to an extreme low level (less than 0.5%). At the same time, the temperature and humidity levels are brought to optimal treatment levels. Under these conditions, all insects (from eggs to adults) are killed within four to 10 days, depending on the temperature applied, comprehensively eradicating the pest. There is also no means by which the beetle can develop resistance.

All kinds of tobacco products can be treated, ranging from raw tobacco leaves to semi-finished products such as cut rag, stems and expanded tobacco, and end-products (cigarettes, RYO and cigars). b-Cat also has mobile systems to treat infested processing machinery or complete production rooms. To keep clients' products clean and preserve their quality, b-Cat also developed a special system to vacuum and pack large volumes of tobacco products for optimal, final protection.

In addition to being completely effective, this system has the advantage of being non-toxic and 100% environmental friendly and compliant with sustainability programs. There is no influence on quality, colour and taste of tobacco and the system can be easily integrated into existing production and storage processes. As an extra bonus, due to the solid shape of the vacuum pack, some 25% more tobacco can be packed in a C48 carton, with a consequent reduction in storage and transport costs. Enditem