When it comes to eliminating woodworms and other burrowing pests from valuable timber, furniture, and structural wood, two popular non-chemical methods often come up: microwave treatment and freezing. Both approaches are chemical-free, safe for indoor use, and capable of killing pests without damaging the environment. However, they differ greatly in effectiveness, practicality, and long-term results. So, which one really works better at killing woodworms—microwave treatment or freezing? Let’s break it down.
Microwave treatment, such as the technology used in shashel systems, works by sending electromagnetic waves into the wood. These waves generate heat within the material, especially where moisture and living organisms are present. The heat rapidly raises the internal temperature of pests—larvae, eggs, and adult insects—causing fatal thermal disruption. Because the energy penetrates deep into the wood, it kills insects even in their most protected hiding spots. The treatment is fast, usually taking just a few minutes per targeted area.
On the other hand, freezing works by exposing the infested wood to sub-zero temperatures (typically below -20°C or -4°F) for an extended period, often several days or even weeks. The idea is to freeze the insects’ body fluids and cellular structures, leading to death. This method is widely used in museums and conservation labs where chemical exposure is not an option. However, freezing is only effective if the cold penetrates deeply enough and is maintained long enough to kill all stages of the pest.
When comparing effectiveness, microwave treatment clearly has the advantage. Microwaves can heat the core of the wood quickly and evenly, ensuring a lethal dose of heat reaches every part of the infestation. With freezing, results are less predictable—especially in thick or dense wood. Insects hiding deep inside can survive if the cold doesn’t reach them or if the freezing process is too slow. Some species even develop resistance by going dormant during cold periods, only to become active again when temperatures rise.
Speed is another area where microwave wins. A complete microwave treatment can be done in under an hour, depending on the size of the affected area. Freezing, by comparison, takes days or weeks and requires large commercial freezers or specialized cold chambers. This can make freezing impractical for large wooden beams, floors, or architectural elements.
From a logistical perspective, microwave systems like those from Shashel are much easier to use on-site. Whether you’re treating a beam in a heritage home, a floorboard in a modern apartment, or a wooden sculpture in a museum, the portable nature of microwave units makes them ideal for quick, localized treatments. Freezing, meanwhile, requires moving the item to a freezer facility—often risky, especially with large or fragile objects.
In terms of preservation, both methods are gentle on materials, but microwave has an edge when it comes to moisture-sensitive or layered objects. Freezing can sometimes cause minor expansion or contraction within the wood, potentially leading to cracks or warping. Microwave treatment, when properly controlled, heats the pests more than the wood itself, minimizing any impact on the item’s structural or aesthetic quality.
When it comes to cost-effectiveness, microwave treatment is also a better long-term investment. While purchasing or renting a Shashel microwave system may require upfront investment, it allows for fast, repeatable, and reliable treatments across multiple jobs. Freezing, in contrast, involves ongoing operational costs—refrigeration units, storage space, transportation, and time delays—which can add up significantly over time.
In conclusion, while both freezing and microwave treatments are valid chemical-free options for pest removal, microwave technology is the more effective and practical solution for killing woodworms. It offers deeper penetration, faster results, easier application, and better long-term outcomes. Whether you’re a restoration expert, pest control technician, or a property owner trying to save valuable wooden assets, microwave treatment clearly outperforms freezing when it comes to eliminating pests efficiently and safely.