Lahar deadly to homes – and termites
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – The lahar that destroyed so many homes in the aftermath of the eruption of
A scientific study by Dr. Menandro Acda of the University of the Philippines Los Baños- College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR) has shown that lahar is a good material to use as a barrier to prevent termites from entering wooden structures.
His study, entitled “Use of Lahar from Mt. Pinatubo as Barrier to Prevent Tunneling and Invasion of Subterranean Termites into Homes and Timber Structures in the Philippines,” won the Julian A. Banzon Medal for Applied Research given during the 2007 National Science and Technology Week sponsored by the Los Baños Science Community (LBSC), which groups 22 academic and R & D institutions based here.
The award was named after the late National Scientist Dr. Julian A. Banzon of Los Baños, considered the “Grand Old Man of Chemistry.”
Acda’s study was supported by the Charles A. and Anne Morro Linbergh Foundation (USA) under its Conservation of Natural Resources Program.
Acda, chairman of the UPLB-CFNR Department of Forest Products and Paper Science, developed a technique that could provide alternative method of termite control without the use of persistent organic pesticides or relatively expensive termite bait products.
“This technology is environment-friendly and could greatly reduce the load of toxic chemicals in the urban environment. It also eases the demand for frequent replacement of termite-infested timber structures, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable development of limited forest resources,” LBSC stated.
In his research, Acda evaluated lahar from
“The technique is beneficial to a great number of property owners who look for alternative and affordable method of protecting their properties against termites,” said LBSC.
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