• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.679-688
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the applicability of a termiticide based on metofluthrin for termite control on traditional wooden buildings. To evaluate their mortality, termites were exposed to the agent, diluted to various concentrations, for seven days; it was found that it had a sufficient insecticidal effect although there was a difference depending on the degree of agent dilution. Next, the effect on Dancheong, used in traditional wooden structures, was measured based on the color change according to the number of agent treatments. The results showed that only the color difference value of two pigments (i.e., Bun and Juhong) was measured as 3.0 or higher. However, there this varied according to the dilution ratio. Thus, it was found that most pigments had little effect on the color of Dancheong. Finally, the termiticidal efficacy of the agent when applied to wood was evaluated. We found that the specimens coated with 10-fold and 20-fold dilutions exhibited 2.83 and 6.28% mass loss, respectively. The 10-fold dilution satisfied the performance of termiticide as a mass loss of less than 3%. In conclusion, the metofluthrin-based agent used in this study has little effect on various Dancheong pigments and has a termiticidal effect against termites; it is therefore suggested that it may be used in preserving traditional wooden cultural properties in Korea.