Abstract: The invention concerns a method for pest control in stored wares, especially tobacco products, which is characterized by the intermittent microwave treatment of potentially infested stored goods, whereby the duration of treatment and the mean output of the microwaves are so harmonized that the pest itself as well as its eggs are killed. The present invention therefore makes it possible to conduct effective and sustained pest control on infested goods since, in addition to beetles and larvae, the eggs of the pest are eliminated as well, and consequently the development of eggs to the larval stage at a later point in time is prevented. Secondly, using the invention's method, it is possible to dispense with highly toxic chemicals that can leave residues on the treated commodities and consequently represent a health hazard to anyone consuming the product in question.

Abstract: The underlying invention involves a process to control pests in stored products, and tobacco products in particular, whereby goods that are prone to infestation are intermittently shock-frozen at temperatures below zero, and whereby the minimum duration and minimum temperature of the shock treatment are selected so as to ensure that the stored product pests are killed in all stages of their development. Accordingly, the underlying invention is advantageous in that it enables effective, long-lasting pest control of goods prone to infestation because it kills not only beetles and their larvae, but also the eggs of the any pests, thus preventing the development of the eggs into the larval stage at a later point in time. Also, the invention's process makes it possible to eliminate the use of highly toxic chemicals which can leave residues in the treated goods and thereby constitute a health hazard to the consumers thereof.