Borate wood treatment has been one of the most effective and popular choices in pest management for over 25 years. This treatment can be used for a variety of infestations, including carpenter ants, termites, and beetles. It can also protect structures from wood-destroying fungus that causes decay. Borate treatment is a common practice for buildings, ensuring structures are protected from wood-detroying pests. Many professionals use it as a preventative treatment, making sure their clients' homes are protected for a lifetime.
How do borates work?
Borates are a natural pesticide that is made up of a chemical compound of oxygen and boron. This treatment is considered both a repellent and a bait, meaning it eliminates the pest as soon as it chews the infected wood. Post feeding, dying termites will send a message to the colony telling others to abandon the wood. When borate is ingested by wood-feeding pests, it inhibits their ability to extract nutrition from the wood, ultimately causing the pest to starve. The unique mode of action also prevents insects from ever developing a resistance to the pesticide.
Unlike other treatments, borates can be applied directly to the structure. When the pesticide is applied to wood, the glycol adjuvant allows the borates to soak deep into the lumber and effectively act as a barrier that pests cannot cross. Optimally, the preventive should be applied during the construction process to vulnerable structural areas such as flooring, wall studs, framing lumber, and any other interior wood components. Pressure applications and topical treatments are the most common methods of application used by professionals. The treatment will not stain or discolor the material, but will provide long-lasting control for wood destroying pests, like termites.
A long-lasting solution
Borate treatments are a reliable solution that prevents infestations without causing damage to the appearance or function of the wood. The preservative is non-corrosive to metal materials used in construction, making it a safe choice for any structural application. Popular products such as Bora-Care® and Tim-Bor can last for the lifetime of the wood. Their effectiveness and versatility make borate products a cost-effective solution that professionals and their clients can trust.
Borate's many benefits can be disrupted if the treated areas becomes wet. Extra precautions should be taken to ensure the treated surface does not come in contact with water. The product, which sits on and within the application surface, can dissolve over time with excessive exposure to moisture. Using borates for exterior applications should always be avoided because of the risk of moisture interference, but they are a great choice for interior and pretreatment applications. To minimize the risk of water diluting the pesticide, all treatments should include a water repellent at the time of application. Over time, the surface may need additional treatments of the water repellent to ensure the borate remains intact for the life of the wood.
Safety precautions for borate treatments
Reviewing the safety protocols should be the first step for any pest management professional. Borate wood treatment products should be stored off the ground and covered to protect the product from water damage and allow for ventilation. When using this product, professionals should wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask at all times (See Label for specific PPE requirements and/or state regulations). This protects against splinters and prolonged inhalation of pesticide particles. After completing the treatment, technicians should wash any exposed areas of skin thoroughly with soap and water.
This product should not be used in cases where the wood may become a component of food or animal feed. It’s important that treated wood does not come in contact with drinking water sources, nor should it be used as mulch. To dispose of borate-treated wood, local and federal regulations should be followed. In most cases, treated wood scraps can be disposed of during ordinary trash collection. To see a fully comprehensive list of safety regulations, please refer to the product label.
Powerful termite prevention
Borates have been proven to effectively eliminate wood-feeding insects. They provide lifelong protection against termites for interior wood. When borates are used as recommended, treated wood will remain safely intact without degradation of the pesticide. In addition, pest management professionals should follow up with clients to make sure the treatment is effective. Providing quality service to customers increases their satisfaction and allows you to grow your business.
Browse our complete line of borate wood treatments or contact our sales representatives for more information.
To learn more about termites, check out some of our other articles:
