One of the alternative treatments to avoid the application of biocides is thermal modification of wood, which increases the durability of wood against attack by wood decay organisms. The durability of Pinus sylvestris and Eucalyptus nitens thermotreated at 180 and 212 ºC, was studied. The results show that thermotreatment against wood decay fungi in P. sylvestris is slightly more effective than in E. nitens, especially against C. puteana. In the studied species of wood, both against P. placenta for pine, and T. versicolor for eucalyptus, the treatment at 212ºC makes the wood very durable. Against H. bajulus, both temperatures are effective, while these thermotreatments do not provide any durability against subterranean termites, neither in pine nor in eucalyptus.

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