• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.227-235
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• 2019

In Korea, various methods are applied to prevent wooden structures from being damaged by termites. However, since there is no way to quickly bring toxic substances in contact with the termites inside the timber, it leads to the damage of wooden cultural property due to the prolonged period of controlling the termites. Accordingly, an indoor evaluation criteria study was conducted for the introduction of powder-type termiticides in Korea, which produced rapid control effects by drilling wood and directly contacting and transferring toxic substances inside the timber. First, contact toxicity and transfer ability of termite dusts were evaluated to establish the criteria for evaluation of effectiveness against Reticulitermes speratus. The contact toxicity confirmed 100% mortality of fipronil, deltamethrin and cyfluthrin termite dusts within 24 h of contact; however, differences occurred in the active ingredient transfer time to the sublethal. In addition, in the case of transfer ability evaluation, the rate of mortality gradually decreased under 1:9 and 1:25 ratio conditions; however, the difference in the reduction rate was identified depending on the type of termite dust. the results of the evaluation of compressive strength of the wood showed that the difference in the measured values between the control group and the conditions of perforation 1 to 3 times, which does not significantly affect the compressive strength of wood. In this study, the criteria of termite dust selection and evaluation method of dust-type termiticides were presented and the applicability of the method was identified.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.194-215
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• 2021

Termites are important decomposers in the ecosystem. They are also economically significant structural pests. In this study, we reviewed the developments of termite control and recent research on termite management to provide information on the prevention and control of termites. In Korea, most of the damage to wooden historical buildings is caused by subterranean termites. Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis is the main species, which is widely found throughout the country. In the early 1900s, inorganic insecticides, such as arsenic dust, were used for termite control. After the synthesis of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide in the 1940s, it was widely utilized and demonstrated high termite control efficacy. However, chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides were later banned, disappearing from markets after reports emerged concerning environmental contamination and toxicity to humans. Therefore, the termite control industry sought a new termiticide; hence many pesticides were utilized for termite control. Organophosphate (1960s), carbamate (1970s), pyrethroid, and insect growth inhibitor (1980s) were newly synthesized and adopted. In the 1990s, the first commercial baits using chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSI) were developed, providing a means to eliminate an entire colony of subterranean termites around a structure. Many studies have been carried out on soil termiticides (liquid termiticides) and CSI baits to increase their efficacy, and different baits such as aboveground bait stations, fluid bait, and high-durability bait were also developed in the 2000s. In addition, the paradigm of termite control has shifted from localized treatments using soil termiticides to area-wide pest management using CSI baits to create termite-free zones and protect buildings over time. Termite infestations in wooden historical buildings in Korea have been reported since 1980, and considerable attention was drawn in the 1990s when several UNESCO world heritages such as the Jongmyo Shrine and the Janggyeong Panjeon Depositories of Haeinsa Temple were infested by subterranean termites. Since then, a survey of termite infestation in wooden architectural heritage has been conducted, and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Heritage Care Program regularly monitors those properties. Finally, we suggest termite management using primarily CSI baits, selective application of various soil treatments applied to the object, foundation soil treatment, research and development of durable termite baits, application of area-wide programs for wooden-building complexes, application of integrated termite management (ITM), and regular education for owners and managers to prevent and reduce termite damage.