The present invention relates to a method for treating a pest and/or infection in an affected subject, comprising exposing the affected subject to infrared radiation. The source of the infrared radiation comprises in particular a carbon crystal heating element, which can be applied to and/or positioned in the vicinity of an affected subject. In particular, the present invention provides a method for treating infections in a tree, such as bleeding canker in horse chestnut trees and/or canker in kiwifruit trees. The invention further relates to the use of a carbon crystal heating element for treating a pest and/or infection in an affected subject.
