Kim Si-hyun
Researcher, Restoration Technology Division
Termite experts from Korea, the United States, and Taiwan came together to explore strategies for preventing and controling termite damage to wooden cultural heritage. This was the focus of the “2025 NRICH Seminar : Areawide termite control and invasive termite” hosted by the NRICH. As termite
damage continues to rise due to climate change and the introduction of invasive termites, the seminar provided a timely opportunity for global experts to share insights and preservation strategies.
The Restoration Technology Division of the NRICH hosted the “2025 International Termite Expert Invitation Program” over five days from March 18 to 22. This program was organized to acquire overseas termite control technologies and establish international networks by inviting foreign termite experts for joint seminars and on-site consultations. Participants included Assistant Director Dr. Carrie Cottone and Research Entomologist, Dr. Mark Janowiecki, from the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, U.S., as well as Professor, Dr. Hou-Feng Li from the Department of Entomology at National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. A joint seminar was held at NRICH in Daejeon, followed by onsite inspections and consultations at wooden cultural heritage sites in Seoul, Daejeon, and Nonsan.
From Assessing the Situation to Developing Solutions
The “2025 NRICH Seminar: Areawide termite control and invasive termite ” centered on three main components: a closed roundtable discussion for termite control researchers and officials, a public academic symposium, and joint field investigations at key termite-affected wooden cultural heritage sites in Korea. The roundtable, held in a conference room at the Conservation Science Center, brought together 15 participants, including the three invited experts, interpreters, officials from the Cultural Heritage Service’s Disaster Prevention Division, and staff from NRICH’s Restoration Division. The session began with a presentation by NRICH researcher Kim Si-hyun, who outlined the current state of termite damage in Korea and ongoing research efforts. A Q&A session followed, focusing on termite ecology and control strategies. The public symposium, held in the auditorium of the Analytical Science Center, drew approximately 120 participants—including over 50 NRICH and KHS staff and around 70 professionals and representatives fromrelated industries. Over the course of five hours, five presentations were delivered, followed by in-depth discussions.
The first presentation was delivered by Kim Si-hyun of NRICH, who introduced major domestic termite species and their characteristics, current cases of termite damage to wooden cultural heritage, existing control methods, and ongoing research. The second and third presentations were given by Assistant Director Dr. Carrie Cottone and Research Entomologist, Dr. Mark Janowiecki, respectively.
Their presentations focused on the introduction of Formosan subterranean termites to New Orleans, spatial termite control strategies applied in large historic districts like the French Quarter, characteristics of invasive species, case studies from the United States, and future mitigation approaches.
“Termite damage to Korea’s wooden cultural heritage is occurring nationwide and may worsen due to climate change and the introduction of invasive termite species. It is essential to introduce new control technologies and apply spatial termite management methods to prevent damage before it occurs.”
— Kim Si-hyun, Research Officer, NRICH
“The French Quarter of New Orleans is a historic district where French, Spanish, and American cultures intersect. The area has suffered widespread damage from Formosan termites. Lessons learned through the Operation Full Stop program continue to be applied to this day, as we work to keep termite populations at consistently low levels.
— Dr. Carrie Cottone, Assistant director, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, U.S.
Lee Jae-hyun, a doctoral student at Gyeongsang National University, and Professor Lee Won-hoon presented on the distribution of native termite species in Korea and the potential introduction of invasive termite species. The final speaker was Professor, Dr.Hou-Feng Li. The seminar concluded with Professor Lee’s presentation on termite species distribution in Taiwan, major pest species, key control methods, and public engagement programs. The entire seminar was streamed live on the NRICH YouTube channel. Meanwhile, on-site inspections of termite damage to wooden cultural heritage sites in Korea were conducted at Suun-gyo in Daejeon, Nogang Seowon and Donam Seowon in Nonsan, and at the restoration sites of Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo ’s Main Hall in Seoul.
The inspections focused on patterns of termite damage to wooden heritage architecture in Korea, current termite control research by the NRICH Restoration Division, and future management strategies.
This is all the more important given the increasing termite damage already observed across many heritage sites, highlighting the need for constant preventative control. Termite-related economic losses are severe in countries like the U.S., Japan, China,Australia, and across Southeast Asia.
For example, after the complete removal of Formosan termite colonies at Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans (adjacent to the French Quarter), activity rebounded within five years—an instructive case that highlights the importance of sustained control efforts in areas already affected by termite infestations. In the U.S., it took nearly 20 years after the initial introduction of Formosan termites to fully recognize the extent of their spread and damage. By then, complete eradication was found to be practically impossible.
The termite control efforts in New Orleans’ French Quarter are considered a leading example of spatial termite management, demonstrating that termite density was successfully reduced during the 1998– 2012 period and could be sustainably maintained thereafter.
However, the project also revealed limitations: some properties opted out of treatment, and winged termites from outside the treatment zones continued to migrate in. As a result, complete eradication proved unfeasible, and maintaining low termite density emerged as a more realistic goal.
“Global trade and climate change have greatly increased the potential for invasive termites to spread to new countries. After World War II, Formosan termites entered the U.S. mainland. They are now present in several states, causing significant damage. Once these termites become established, total eradication is
nearly impossible. Continuous monitoring is essential.
— Research Entomologist, Dr. Mark Janowiecki, City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, U.S.
The Need for Wood Treatment and Monitoring Systems
To manage numerous wooden structures across wide areas, it is essential to reduce the cost and time required per building. In the U.S., highly durable inground and above-ground baiting systems have significantly contributed to effective and economical termite control and are now widely used. A survey conducted about a decade after the end of Operation Full Stop revealed that approximately 50% of wooden buildings in the French Quarter are now privately managed for termite control. This shift is largely due to greater awareness and understanding of the mportance of termite prevention. The detection of invasive termites strongly correlates with trade volume.
Most invasive species share three characteristics: They feed on wood; they nest inside their food source; and they develop secondary reproductions.
However, the recent detection of Nastitermes in the U.S.—despite lacking some of these characteristics— has drawn attention, as it shows that invasive species can naturalize even without fulfilling all three conditions.
To reduce the introduction of invasive termites, it is vital to properly treat wood and build robust monitoring systems. Wood should be heat-treated or fumigated to eliminate internal termites, and repurposing it as railway sleepers is also an effective method. Monitoring systems should include regular inspections of ports and lumberyards, and employ molecular biology techniques for rapid species identification. Taiwan, with its subtropical climate and year-round warm temperatures, is home to 23 known termite species. About 95% of termite-related damage is caused by two species: Coptotermes formosanus in the north and Coptotermes gestroi in the south. In areas where the habitats of these two species overlap, interbreeding between males and females of different species is resulting in the emergence of new hybrid termites.
“Nationwide termite collection and genetic analysis have clarified species distribution across Korea. The recent discovery of invasive termite species not previously found in the country highlights the need for a coordinated, multi-agency response.”
— Lee Jae-hyun (PhD candidate), Professor. Lee Won-hoon, Gyeongsang National University
“Most termites serve an important ecological function as decomposers, though certain species act as pests and cause serious damage. Effective mitigation is only
possible through the combined efforts of citizens, professionals, and researchers.
— Professor, Dr. Hou-Feng Li, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
Professor, Dr. Hou-Feng Li emphasized the importance of wood maintenance and establishing termite management systems, while Assistant Director Dr.Carrie Cottone highlighted the need for spatial termite control and the tailored application of various bait formulations to suit each heritage site. By bringing together termite experts from Korea, the United States, and Taiwan, the seminar provided valuable insights into global research trends in termite control. It is expected to have a positive impact on shaping NRICH’s future research direction and contribute to more effective responses to the growing threat of termite damage driven by climate change.
