Effect of ozone treatment on survival of termites and wood decay fungi

IRG/WP 07-40365

A M Taylor, L J Mason, J J Morrell

There is increased concern about the potential for transport of invasive pests on or in untreated wood. Current regulations utilize heating or fumigation as mitigation tools, but both have drawbacks that have stimulated interest in new phytosanitation methods. Ozone fumigation has been shown to control insects, fungi and bacteria on a variety of agricultural products. Systems for the controlled generation, circulation and destruction of residual ozone have been commercialized and these systems could be used for treating wood products such as pallets. The potential for using ozone fumigation for mitigation was assessed by exposing small ponderosa pine sapwood (Pinus ponderosa) cubes infested with either Postia placenta or Trametes versicolor to 1500-1900 ppm of ozone (in air) for 1 to 5 hours. No fungi were cultured from the blocks after 1-3 hours of treatment. Exposure of Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) workers in paper towels or sand in Petri dishes to 1000-1500 ppm of ozone produced 100% mortality in 5-30 minutes. Future research will examine the ability of ozone to kill insects and fungi established in larger wood samples.


Keywords: ozonation, Reticulitermes flavipes, phytosanitation, Postia placenta, Trametes versicolor

Conference: 07-05-20/24 Jackson, USA


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