Bora-Care Termite Treatment

In addition to termites, Bora-Care controls certain wood infesting insects and wood fungi. The active ingredient in this product is borate, an inorganic material that is mined in the western part of North America, South America and Asia. The borate in Bora-Care is in the form of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and is formulated with glycol penetrants. The penetrants allow the active ingredient to diffuse into wood where it lasts indefinitely.

Mixing Techniques

Bora-Care is a liquid concentrate containing 40-percent active ingredient and must be diluted with clean water before use. The formulation has limited solubility, so a premix of Bora-Care and water is prepared before pouring the chemical into an applicator tank. The product label states that the use of warm or hot water and an impeller type mixer, which can be used with an electric drill aids the dilution process.

Label directions for high volume pumping systems state, "Add all of the dilution water to tank, start recirculator, then slowly add BORA-CARE concentrate. Allow to mix until uniform."

Termites Controlled

Termites controlled by Bora-Care include subterranean, Formosan, dampwood and drywood termites. Subterranean termites nest in the soil and feed primarily on structural wood. Since they have to have moisture, they move from soil into buildings through tubes which they construct from mud, wood particles and even pieces of plaster.

Formosans are a type of subterranean termite with the primary difference of swarming at dusk and being attracted to light. Dampwood termites often nest in wood buried in the ground; although they do not need to be in soil to survive. Drywood termites infest dry wood and have low requirements for moisture. They remain entirely above ground.

Remedial Termite Treatments

Because of its penetrating ability, Bora-Care can be sprayed on infested wood to achieve good termite control. One coat of diluted Bora-Care solution is sprayed, to the point of wetness, on all infested and susceptible wood. If there are only one or two exposed sides, then two coats need to be applied with a waiting period of at least 20-minutes between coats.

Diluted Bora-Care solution can also be injected into termite galleries and pockets of decay. When infestations are not accessible from the surface, small holes may be drilled into the wood and the chemical can be injected through the holes. Enough solution should be injected to completely fill the galleries and void spaces.

Foam Applications

A foam can be created by mixing two parts water with one part Bora-Care and then adding three to eight ounces of foaming agent per gallon of mixed solution. The foam is applied to bare wood and void areas ensuring the voids are completely filled. In about an hour, the foam returns to a liquid state and penetrates into the wood.

Fogging Applications

A fogger may be used to treat confined spaces such as attics or crawl spaces. A solution of two parts water and one part Bora-Care should be added to the fogger reservoir. All exposed wood surfaces should be completely wet with approximately one gallon of solution applied for every 400 to 800 cubic feet of void space. Fogging should be followed by direct sprays in heavily infested areas. Two separate fogging applications may be required to control subterranean and Formosan termites. There should be a waiting period of at least two hours between applications. The manufacturer of Bora-Care recommends fogging only when access is limited prohibiting by other means.

Treatments during Construction

Preventative treatments during building construction are primarily done for subterranean and Formosan termite control. These treatments are normally performed when all structural wood and sheathing is in place, but before mechanical systems, insulation and electrical wiring are installed. All wood surfaces are sprayed to wet with a one to one solution of Bora-Care in water. Extra care is taken to completely treat high moisture areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. It is also important to treat all wood that is in contact with a concrete slab

Safety Precautions

Before using this product or any pesticide, it is important to read and understand the label. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide inconstant with its label.

When using Bora-Care, food should be removed or covered during treatment. All food processing surfaces should be covered or completely cleaned after treatment. Bora-Care should not be applied directly to bodies of water and it should not be spilled or applied to plants.

References

• BORA-CARE Termitice, Insecticide and Fungicide Concentrate
• Boracare Specimen Label