Microwave Destruction of Woodworms

AbstractThe feasibility of microwave destruction of woodworms has been assessed, and the lethal temperature of a particular woodworm (Hylotrupes bajulus L.) has been carefully determined. This is a function of larva weight and appears to be confined to a narrow range of few degrees around 52–53°C. A theoretical model demonstrates that, in typical situations, larvae heated by electromagnetic fields reach temperatures substantially higher than the surrounding wood. Preliminary experiments confirm these results and Indicate that a technique based on microwave heating of infested wood can be successfully applied in practice.Key Words: Wood disinfestationWoodworms destructionMicrowave treatments Additional informationNotes on contributorsD. AndreueeettiDaniele Andreuccetti, Marco Bini, Amleto Ignesti, and Roberto Olmi are affiliated with IROE-CNR, Via Panciatichi 64, Firenze, Italy. Anna Gambetta is affiliated with IRL-CNR, Via Barazzuoli 23, Firenze, Italy. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Marco Bini.M. BiniDaniele Andreuccetti, Marco Bini, Amleto Ignesti, and Roberto Olmi are affiliated with IROE-CNR, Via Panciatichi 64, Firenze, Italy. Anna Gambetta is affiliated with IRL-CNR, Via Barazzuoli 23, Firenze, Italy. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Marco Bini.A. IgnestiDaniele Andreuccetti, Marco Bini, Amleto Ignesti, and Roberto Olmi are affiliated with IROE-CNR, Via Panciatichi 64, Firenze, Italy. Anna Gambetta is affiliated with IRL-CNR, Via Barazzuoli 23, Firenze, Italy. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Marco Bini.A. GambettaDaniele Andreuccetti, Marco Bini, Amleto Ignesti, and Roberto Olmi are affiliated with IROE-CNR, Via Panciatichi 64, Firenze, Italy. Anna Gambetta is affiliated with IRL-CNR, Via Barazzuoli 23, Firenze, Italy. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Marco Bini.R. OlaniDaniele Andreuccetti, Marco Bini, Amleto Ignesti, and Roberto Olmi are affiliated with IROE-CNR, Via Panciatichi 64, Firenze, Italy. Anna Gambetta is affiliated with IRL-CNR, Via Barazzuoli 23, Firenze, Italy. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Marco Bini.