MICROWAVE DESTRUCTION OF WOODWORMS

The feasibility of microwave destruction of woodworms has been assesse d, and the lethal temperature of a particular woodworm (Hylotrupes baj ulus L.) has been carefully determined. This is a function of larva we ight and appears to be confined to a narrow range of few degrees aroun d 52-53-degrees-C. A theoretical model demonstrates that, in typical s ituations, larvae heated by electromagnetic fields reach temperatures substantially higher than the surrounding wood. Preliminary experiment s confirm these results and indicate that a technique based on microwa ve heating of infested wood can be successfully applied in practice.