Soooooooooooo, I was doing some research and stumbled across an article from a 1989 issue of Library Journal, titled “
Nuke ‘Em! Library Pest Control Using a Microwave“. (The article isn’t available for free online, but you can probably find it in your local library)
Oh, what could possibly go wrong?
Well, fortunately for you, dear readers, I went down a research rabbit hole and found all this useful information about why microwaving your books (to remove mold, dry them out after they get wet, or to kill insects) is a BAD IDEA.
The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) has a succinct explanation about why microwaving your books isn’t such a hot idea:
“Rumors about the effectiveness of microwaves for killing insects have circulated in the library community over the past several years. Microwaves are used successfully in the food, agricultural, and textile industries to control insects, but this strategy is not recommended for library collections. Microwaves have a limited penetration, and may not penetrate thick books. Their effectiveness also depends on the type of insect and the intensity and frequency of the radiation. Microwave ovens vary in intensity, so it is extremely difficult to determine standard times and temperatures for treatment. The primary argument against microwaves is the danger of damage to treated materials. Evidence from a variety of experiments indicates that pages and covers can scorch; metal attachments like staples can cause arcing; and adhesives can soften, causing pages to detach from their bindings in certain books.
“ (https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/3.-emergency-management/3.10-integrated-pest-management)
++++++++
This longer article by Craig Stark also rotates through all the main reasons why you wouldn’t want to cook your books in the microwave.
So, therefore, while microwaving books may
seem
like a clever “quick fix” for your insect, mold, or wet book problem, it
really, really
isn’t a good idea
.