Electrical Performance and Effect of Frequency Electromagnetic Waves on Subterranean Termites Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren

Seno D. Panjaitan, Farah Diba, Ferry Hadary, Tsuyoshi Yoshimura

Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, Indonesia.
Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, Indonesia.
Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/jemaa.2014.61001                

Abstract

The research aimed to propose a non-destructive technology to control subterranean termites Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren infestation based on electromagnetic waves. A portable apparatus for this technology has been built and its experiment is presented in this paper. Some electrical parameters were measured and analyzed along with their effects to the termites. The experiment using frequency range between 30 Hz - 600 kHz has been done. The average error of the apparatus by comparing the result with the direct measurement using oscilloscope was also measured. The highest error value appeared at 600 kHz with frequency error 6.05 kHz. The highest error of voltage (i.e. 0.186 Volt) appeared at 100 kHz. For safetiness, the highest magnetic field at 300 kHz was 0.1815 μT and at 500 kHz was 0.00725 μT which were safe for human. The average value of termites mortality was higher on irradiation time 120 minutes than 60 minutes respectively in all test frequency: 300 kHz, 400 kHz, 500 kHz and 600 kHz. This paper presents an important information of the electromagnatic-based technology for environmental friendly termites control in spite of using the insecticides.

Keywords

Electromagnetic Waves; Frequency; Subterranean Termites; Coptotermes curvignathus; Termites Infestation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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