Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (Borate)

Borate is an odorless, powdery white compound made of boron and oxygen. The element boron is common in the environment and found in many products you probably use everyday including toothpaste, mouthwash, laundry detergent and cosmetics, to name just a few. In pest control it is used as both an insecticide and a fungicide. Its most common pest control use is to protect against and eliminate wood-destroying insects such as termites, carpenter ants, and other wood boring beetles.

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Quick View BORACARE  (89) $76.50 Free Shipping! Treats and protects wood against termites, carpenter ants, powderpost beetles and wood decay fungi.   Info / Buy Now	Quick View Gourmet Liquid Ant Bait - 32 oz.  (26) $18.90 Free Shipping! Liquid ant bait formulated for sweet and protein feeding ants as well as ants foraging for water.   Info / Buy Now	Quick View Timbor  (36) $14.70 Free Shipping! A wood preservative for the protection and treatment of lumber against fungal decay and wood destroying insects.   Info / Buy Now
Quick View BORACARE with MOLD-CARE  (10) $117.95 Free Shipping! BORACARE with MOLD-CARE treats and prevents mold on wood surfaces, in addition to giving the wood protection against wood-destroying insects such as termites and beetles.   Info / Buy Now	Quick View Gourmet Ant Bait Gel  (24) $11.92 Free Shipping! Gel uses a special insect attractant that mimics honeydew and enhances bait acceptance by a variety of Protein Feeding Ants, Sweet Feeding Ants, and roaches.   Info / Buy Now	Quick View Jecta Not yet Rated $38.90 Free Shipping! The effectiveness of Bora-Care in a gel form for sealed or hard-to-reach wood.   Info / Buy Now

 

Borate Mode of Action

Borate in pesticides acts as a stomach poison when ingested by termites, beetles, ants, cockroaches, or silverfish.


Borate as a wood treatment

Diluted borate solutions can be directly applied with a hand held sprayer to the surface of unfinished wood, brushed onto the surface, or injected into infested wood galleries or other pockets exhibiting decay. Any accessible exposed surface may be whether actively infested or merely susceptible to insects or decay fungi.  This includes beams, joists, sills, siding, and decking.


Toxicity

In general, the toxicity of an insecticide containing Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate is based on its levels of boron. Boron is typically considered low in toxicity because of its prevalence in our environment and daily ingestion by humans. The risks associated with the use of borate products are related to the potential exposure the application can have. As always, read the product label and follow the instructions which are given for your safety.