Electromagnetic Waves as Non-destructive Method to Control Subterranean Termites Coptotermes Curvignathus Holmgren and Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki

The objective of the study is to develop non destructive methods using electromagnetic waves apparatus to control subterranean termites Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and to evaluate the safety of the apparatus to human. The frequency of electromagnetic waves used in this research were 30 Hz∼300 Hz, 0.3 KHz∼3 KHz, and 3 KHz∼300 KHz with variation of irradiation time exposure (15, 30, 45 and 60 minute) for C. curvignathus Holmgren. Meanwhile, for C. formosanus Shiraki the frequency of electromagnetic waves used were 300 KHz and 500 KHz with irradiation time exposure 30 and 60 minutes. The result of the research showed that the average value of termites mortality ranged between 25.45∼82.27% and the average value of termites filter paper consumption ranged between 8.89∼ 39.44% for C. curvignathus Holmgren. On the other hand, for C. formosanus Shiraki, the average value of termites mortality was 100% and the average value of filter paper consumption ranged between 14.51∼20.41%. The frequencies of electromagnetic waves and irradiation time have a linier effect on the value of termites mortality and termites consumption. The magnitude field from apparatus ranged between 0.069∼0.1815, which means the apparatus is safe to be utilized around the human body. The optimum result was achieved on electromagnetic waves apparatus with frequency of 300 KHz and irradiation time around 60 minutes both for C. curvignathus Holmgren and C. formosanus Shiraki.