Abstract: A method and system for disinfecting and disinfesting a commodity, such as a perishable agricultural commodity, by treatment with an environment of low oxygen/high ballast gas with cycled pressure changes that overwhelm and damage the respiratory system of the insect without damaging the host commodity. The system and method may also include the introduction of disinfectants, antiseptics and other toxic chemicals or the exposure to radio frequencies with intense electric fields that may increase the metabolic activity of the pest or decrease the fitness of the pest within the low oxygen environment. Treatments according to the methods can also increase the shelf life of agricultural commodities by eradicating or delaying the growth of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other microbial pests.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for disinfestation of temperature sensitive and other commodities using short duration, high peak power radio frequency pulses and intense electric fields to preferentially induce drift of conduction charges, spot heating and other mortal damage to infesting insects and mites without raising the temperature of the host commodity. A low frequency mode is provided with a frequency range of approximately 10 Hz to 1 MHz and is particularly suited for large batch processing of pallets or field containers. A high frequency mode is also provided that is suited for continuous or small batch processing and uses a preferred frequency range of approximately 1 MHz to 150 MHz. Both modes preferably have an electric field strength of greater than approximately 5 kV/cm and pulse repetition rates of between one pulse and approximately 10 million pulses per second.