Determination of specific lethal heat treatment parameters for pests associated with wood products using the Humble water bath

Abstract

Heat treatment is an effective sanitization method used for over half a century to reduce the risk of transporting pests associated with wood products. The determination of precise lethal heat treatment parameters for pests is critical for the development of globally harmonized plant protection regulatory treatment policies. Separation of heat treatment dose (time and temperature) from the factors associated with the method of heat application (delivery) and variables associated with wood characteristics allows for universal agreement on lethal dose and promotes efficient development of treatment schedule guidance. The Humble water bath is an effective and carefully calibrated heat treatment apparatus designed to test the effects of heat and determine lethal temperature doses. Specifications for building this apparatus and experimental treatment parameters are described. To demonstrate the capacities of the water bath apparatus, the effect of heat on a non-indigenous wood-boring beetle, Anisandrus dispar, is reported using heat-ramp schedules similar to industrial kiln heating applications. Adult A. dispar tested in vitro, did not survive 50 °C treatment temperature for 15 min time duration.