스테인리스 망의 흰개미 침입 차단 효력 현장 연구 = Field Study on the Efficacy of Stainless Steel Mesh as a Physical Barrier Against Korean Subterranean Termites

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Termites are one of the major pests causing damage to wooden architectural heritage. With the introduction of invasive species and climate change, the risk of termite damage is increasing. This study evaluated the efficacy of stainless steel mesh, a type of physical barrier, in blocking the intrusion of subterranean termites in Korea. Pine stakes wrapped in stainless steel mesh (aperture size: 0.65 mm × 0.45 mm) and unwrapped stakes were buried in termite infested sites for nine months. The efficacy was assessed through surface observation, visual damage rating, and weight loss rate measurement. The results showed that the stainless steel mesh effectively blocked termite intrusion, with the treated group maintaining significantly lower damage levels compared to the control group. Additionally, no physical deformation or corrosion was observed on the mesh itself. These findings suggest that stainless steel mesh has high potential as an effective component of areawide termite management for preserving wooden heritage.