Thermal pest control with hot air is widely accepted as an alternative to chemical methods. However, it requires relatively long treatment times due to the low thermal conductivity of wood. Direct dielectric heating applying radio waves or microwaves has the advantage of a more homogeneous heating. However, sound experimental data on this technique are rare at present. Therefore, thermal treatment of wood-destroying insects with radio waves and microwaves was studied with two model pests, Anobium punctatum and Hylotrupes bajulus, and with Tenebrio molitor as reference. It was shown that a secure elimination of pests can be achieved by temperatures above 55°C; the corresponding treatment time was in the range of a few minutes. Temperature profiles were more homogeneous when applying radio waves.