A Hawai'i Kai exterminator wants to use microwave technology to rid Hawai'i homes of termites, but Jose Lopez Urquidi said his efforts are being thwarted by state regulators.

Urquidi owns No Tent Termite Control and he specializes in nontoxic, gasless methods to treat homes and other wood structures. Rather than employ tents and poisonous gasses, Urquidi's company uses a stronger version of boric acid, under the brand name Timbor, which does not require residents to find alternate housing while their homes or businesses are being treated.

But Urquidi also wants to use microwaves to treat hard-to-get-to places, such as in double walls. About five years ago, Urquidi purchased the Hawai'i franchise rights to use equipment from Wavelength Entomologic Microwave Treatment Systems in Los Angeles but has been unable to secure a permit to use it from the state Department of Agriculture.

"It's being used all over the world, except in Hawai'i," Urquidi said of the microwave technology. "We're trying to do business without using deadly chemicals."

Urquidi has been in business here since 1968 and said he "went nontoxic" 15 years ago. He said the Timbor and microwave methods are safer for his customers and his employees because they do not involve poisonous gasses.

The Department of Agriculture regulates all pesticides, as well as high-tech, nonchemical devices that are used for pest control. Robert Boesch, head of the department's pesticide branch, said microwave technology has had some success on the Mainland, particularly in California, but he said Urquidi has not been able to show that he is capable of using the equipment.

"Generally, it's effective. The safety can be addressed. Reliability is something they haven't been able to demonstrate," Boesch said.

The system kills termites by bombarding the wood with radio waves similar to those in a microwave oven. The termites are heated from the inside, just as potatoes are cooked in a microwave oven.

Boesch said that he's been to a couple of tests by Urquidi but wasn't impressed.

"The microwave technology has opportunities here; it's just that they don't know how to operate it effectively yet," he said.

Urquidi said he has followed the application instructions that came with the equipment, and said the state has no guidelines for him to follow. He said he also doesn't understand the state's reluctance to approve microwaves, because he plans to use the technology only for spot treatment and not for entire structures.

"We're not scientists. All we do is follow the label," Urquidi said.

University of Hawai'i termite expert Julian Yates said he has not seen the microwave equipment in action and could not say if the technology works. But he said he has heard of some drawbacks, such as charring of wood from the heat generated.

"I'm always in favor of these new things, if they work. But I don't want the public getting cheated," Yates said. "That's why we instituted that statute requiring these guys to show data that it works. There's been so many of these electronic gimmicks that come out and they don't work at all."

Yates said the only effective way to kill termites is by tenting and fumigating. "It's humbug because you have to pack up all your food and get out of the house for 24 hours, but it's the only known method that works that we approve of," he said.

Urquidi accused the state of withholding approval to protect established fumigation companies that use gas.

"In my opinion, they just don't want us around," he said.

Boesch disagreed and said the state has approved nonpoisonous treatment methods, such as the electro gun and heat technology. He said that if Urquidi can show that the microwave system works, the state will grant him a permit.

"It depends on the operator. How good is the operator? Does the operator know what type of wood it is? How long it's going to take to achieve a temperature of 120 degrees (to kill the termites)?" Boesch said. "Wood conditions here are somewhat different than California because it's a moister environment."

Urquidi said he will continue to test the equipment and hopes to convince the state that microwaves are an effective way to kill termites.

"I've been a fumigator since I was 17, and I won't do that (tenting and gassing) and I won't have none of my family do it," said Urquidi, 65. "We're nontoxic. That's all we do."

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.