How to Freeze and the Science behind it. Long Post

[Perfecto]

OK...after reading everything here I have a question about not freezing that I didn't see covered. If it was covered, sorry, here's the question anyway.

I have always been aware of the beetle thing but have never froze....yet.
I do segregate all my new stuff for a period of time before I let them mingle with the crowd and allow them to get up close and personal and talk to other sticks. Maybe I've just been lucky so far.........

What would one suggest the allotted time be to keep them segregated to see if there are going to any hatching?

Thanks for the input........

[14holestogie]

Originally Posted by Perfecto

OK...after reading everything here I have a question about not freezing that I didn't see covered. If it was covered, sorry, here's the question anyway.

I have always been aware of the beetle thing but have never froze....yet.
I do segregate all my new stuff for a period of time before I let them mingle with the crowd and allow them to get up close and personal and talk to other sticks. Maybe I've just been lucky so far.........

What would one suggest the allotted time be to keep them segregated to see if there are going to any hatching?

Thanks for the input........

You have been lucky, so far. It's kind of like driving without insurance. As long as you don't hit anything, you're golden. One bad incident, however, and you're in the poor house.

As the eggs can lay dormant for some time until the conditions are right, I'm not sure any length of time segregated can insure non-infestation.

Take out the insurance policy and freeze and have some peace of mind.

[Perfecto]

As the eggs can lay dormant for some time until the conditions are right, I'm not sure any length of time segregated can insure non-infestation.

Thanks Tim.........I fully understand the consequences...but this what I was trying to find out. How long can they lay dorm and what are the conditions?

puff on..........Dave

[14holestogie]

Originally Posted by Perfecto

Thanks Tim.........I fully understand the consequences...but this what I was trying to find out. How long can they lay dorm and what are the conditions?

puff on..........Dave

Typical life span from egg to adult is 10-12 weeks.

They can continue to flourish even below 70*, although at a slower rate.

Two days in the freezer would seem to be a better option.

[Perfecto]

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

Typical life span from egg to adult is 10-12 weeks.

They can continue to flourish even below 70*, although at a slower rate.

Two days in the freezer would seem to be a better option.

Thanks Tim..........I greatly do appreciate your responses and please don't take me wrong when asking again....but this is what I'm trying to find out. I have spent a little time researching on the net and can't find any info there yet.

How long can the eggs lay dormant?

Thanks again..................Dave

[14holestogie]

Perhaps this'll help, Dave.

Some biology paragraph.

http://www.thefinerlife.com/smokers_...gar_beetle.htm

[Perfecto]

Tim......Thank you so much. This is one article I had not come across yet.
I'll give it a good reading when I get the time a little later.


Puff on.......................Dave

Originally Posted by Perfecto

Thanks Tim..........I greatly do appreciate your responses and please don't take me wrong when asking again....but this is what I'm trying to find out. I have spent a little time researching on the net and can't find any info there yet.

How long can the eggs lay dormant?

Thanks again..................Dave

In the study that I refer to they say that a normal egg will hatch within 4 weeks in suitable conditions but that all eggs hatch or die within a 6 week period at 20c.

Now remember that is only the eggs, the larvae have between 5 to 10 weeks and then move on to the the pupal and prepupal stages can take up to 3 weeks and then on to adult hood which adds another potential 4 weeks.

Assuming maximum range on all life stages it seems reasonable to assume that it could be 6 months of time that could pass before you could be sure of total mortality. That assumes of course that a female does not lay more eggs.