Museum taxidermies have traditionally relied on toxic chemicals for the prevention and treatment of pest infestations. However, concern over potential adverse effects on public health by chemicals has promoted investigation into alternative safe control methods. The efficacy of freezing at a temperature -20°C against the taxidermy pest Dermestes maculatus was evaluated. The results show that all pests tested at the surface of tanned skin failed to survive beyond 6h of exposure at a temperature -20°C. However, two factors, including the insulating properties of taxidermy and the rate of cooling, played key roles in the course of eradication with freezing. As the time to achieve temperature equilibrium increases, the ability of the pest to adapt to freezing also increases and the freezing time has to be prolonged significantly. The study provides a useful reference for safe methods for destroying museum taxidermy pests by freezing.