CONTROL OF INSECTS IN TOBACCO 29 



facturing — need as much light as possible. In the past large win- 

 dows permitted entrance of the beetles. Fluorescent lighting and air- 

 conditioning have eliminated this problem in some modern buildings 

 with screened air intakes. Unfortunately, however, only a few 

 factories are so equipped. 



Probably the greatest source of infestation in factories is tobacco 

 that is already infested when brought into the building. Because 

 tobacco is often held for hours or even days before it is processed, 

 great care should be taken not to bring infested tobacco into the 

 manufacturing plant. In cigarette manufacture the hogsheads of 

 tobacco almost always receive a thermal- vacuum treatment to moisten 

 and condition the tobacco so it can be handled without breaking. 

 This process raises the temperature of the tobacco high enough to 

 kill all stages of the cigarette beetle and tobacco moth. However, it 

 is important that the hogsheads move directly into the processing 

 chambers as they are brought in from the warehouse ; otherwise there 

 is always danger of infesting the factory. Tobaccos that do not re- 

 ceive the thermal-vacuum treatment should be fumigated in vacuum 

 or atmospheric chambers before being brought into the factory. If 

 it is necessary to bring untreated tobacco into a, manufacturing plant 

 and hold it for even a short time, it should be placed in a receiving 

 room screened with 20-mesh wire. 



In factories that are not air conditioned all doors, windows, and 

 ventilators should be screened with 20-mesh wire. Home owners more 

 than a mile from any tobacco storage or factory have complained of 

 large invasions of cigarette beetles. Unscreened doors and windows 

 are an open invitation to this insect. 



Insect Traps 



One or more suction light traps should be installed on each floor 

 of a factory, preferably one in each room where tobacco is handled 

 or stored. They should be operated continuously. The catches will 

 reduce the number of beetles flying in the factory, and provide early 

 information as to the start of an infestation. They also offer an 

 opportunity for determining what rooms or floors are sources of 

 infestation. 



Fumigation of Manufactured Tobacco 



Cigarettes leaving the factory for channels of trade are not fumi- 

 gated. With the precautions taken in modern factories it is seldom 

 necessary. Moreover, a package of cigarettes is so tightly sealed 

 that effective fumigation is impractical. However, cigarettes some- 

 times become infested while in the hands of wholesalers or retailers; 

 they are returned to the manufacturer. Some of the tobacco in such 

 cigarettes can be cleaned and reclaimed, but infested cigarettes should 

 be fumigated, preferably in vacuum, before they enter the factory. 

 The cartons of cigarettes should be opened and, if possible, the 

 wrapping on the packages should be broken before fumigation. 



Cigars need protection from the time they are made until they are 

 shipped out of the factory. This interval may be as long as 40 days 

 or even longer. If it is not possible to keep the cigars in cool storage 

 or an insect-tight room, it is desirable to fumigate in vacuum with 



