TERMITE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION - USE OF A STAINLESS-STEEL MESH TO EXCLUDE COPTOTERMES-FORMOSANUS (ISOPTERA, RHINOTERMITIDAE)

Physical barriers are gaining in popularity world-wide as methods of p reventing subterranean termite penetration and attack on structures. S ized particle barriers of crushed basalt or granite are approved for u se in building construction in Hawaii and Australia. TERMI-MESH, a mar ine grade 316 steel mesh, was recently developed in Australia and is a pproved there, and now in Hawaii, for use as a termite barrier. We rep ort results of a one-year field test in Hawaii to evaluate the ability of this steel mesh to prevent penetration by the Formosan subterranea n termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Nine test units, containing susceptible wood, were placed above-groun d under conditions of high termite pressure at three field sites on th e island of Oahu, and a tenth test unit was buried at one of these sit es. Test units were removed after one year, and examined for termite p enetration. Termites did not directly penetrate the steel mesh, nor ar eas where pipes had been inserted through the mesh, in any of the ten test units. In one of the above-ground units, however, a crack in the bonding cement securing a heavy fold of the mesh to the corner of a co ncrete block allowed termites into the test unit. In practice, the mes h would not normally be sealed to a corner in this fashion. Thus, a se cond field test has since been initiated to more accurately simulate u se of the bonding cement to secure the mesh in construction situations , and determine whether improvements are warranted. Our results indica te that TERMI-MESH is effective in excluding C. formosanus; although, as with other physical barriers, care must be taken in installation to prevent termites from circumventing the barrier.