Abstract

Overview

Demands for chemical-free treatments for controlling insect pests are increasing globally. Microwave heating offers a potential solution, yet this approach faces challenges such as high labor intensity and significant energy use. It's crucial to optimize the process to minimize energy waste and enhance the effectiveness against pests.

Findings

• The study investigates the impact of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on termites, particularly focusing on the thermal effects and electromagnetic energy conversion under different irradiation conditions.
• It was observed that under resonance condition, microwaves effectively heated and terminated termites. Termites demonstrated significant resilience due to their low permittivity.
• Further analysis, including electron spin resonance, showed an increase in paramagnetic substances like Fe3+, Cu2+, and Mn2+ within the termites, underscoring the complex bio-effects of microwave exposure.
• Interestingly, traveling microwaves primarily induced non-thermal effects, increasing organic radicals without generating significant heat, suggesting alternative exposure impacts on biological organisms.

Conclusion

The research provides insights into optimizing microwave use for pest control while also highlighting the broader implications of microwave exposure on living organisms. This highlights a notable link between electromagnetic field exposure and biological impacts, warranting further investigation into health and safety measures.