Actually bugs that get frozen die. The bugs that live are the ones that don't freeze. They burrow into the trees, earth or survive on animals. There are very few things that can survive being frozen solid. Now let me be clear that based on all of the reading I have done this will work but its a much slower way to kill insects. Zero degrees will freeze the wood but some bugs might survive. Negative ten is a death sentence for anything that can't produce its own heat or escape. I have had the mulch in a chest freezer for 3 days now. I will leave it for a full week before I use it. I will be sure to let people know if I have issues. I am prepared if I do.