Self-regulating heating cables for conductive heat transfer in pest control

Pest control by means of conductive heating of wooden elements requires considerable measuring and control efforts in order to avoid overheating of wooden surfaces, damage of structural elements and risk of fire. The usage of self-regulating heating cables might overcome such problems. In laboratory tests and under real conditions the applicability of self-regulating heating cables is tested with respect to insect and fungal control. Good prospects are obvious for the application of self-regulating cables for local insect control of structural elements. Fungal control seems to be possible, but only makes sense if strength reduction of the infested wooden elements is not relevant and wood moisture level can be kept low after the heat treatment.