Bora-Care will kill all types but might not be the best choice depending on the type you have. Subterranean termites and dry wood termites are two very different insects that require two very different treatments. We recommend that you get your termite infestation identified before you select a treatment method to be sure you are choosing the proper treatment method. Here two articles that can help you learn the differences between the two types of termites: Drywood Termites or Subterranean Termites. If you are still unsure after reading the articles you can always call in a professional company. Almost all termite companies will offer a free inspection and they will tell you what type of termites you are dealing with and how they recommend treating for the. At that point you can choose to hire them or do it your self. Termidor SC is the top termite product on the market. Termidor is completely undetectable by termites and once termites touch it they contact, ingest and spread the termiticide until it eliminates the entire colony. Termidor controls all types of termites including Subterranean, Formosan, and Drywood termites though the application method will be different for each type of termite.
Yes, after the Bora-Care has dried, you can sand and finish the wood. It usually takes 24-48 hours to fully dry. Nothing harmful is released into the air in doing so.
The manufacturer has told us that Boracare is not corrosive but of course should not be sprayed onto exposed electrical wiring of any sort.
Boracare can be used on ANY raw wood that is not painted, stained, or sealed. Even hardwoods. Since it dries on clear, it is no problem to stain, paint, or seal when you are done or apply a clear coat finish.
It is not necessary to sand wood that is raw when treating with Bora-Care. If the wood is painted, stained or sealed then you would want to sand first and then treat.
Bora-Care would be great for applying to raw, cleaned wood for treatment against wood destroying organisms. We do carry a wood cleaner that you can apply first to remove any staining or discoloration called Mold-Clean.
Boracare contains borate, a form of Boron, that is different than boric acid products. Borate products are water soluble and are used in wood treatments as it can penetrate into the wood and/or used as a dust if using Timbor. Boric acid (dust) is not water soluble and is only for crack and crevice treatments. Both forms are not repellent but when dealing with subterranean termites Boracare is not the best product to use as it will only kills the termites that physically ingest the wood. This can cause the termites to start dying off quickly which sends a signal to the queen below ground that the area is bad and this can cause them to move to another location that is possibly untreated or inaccessible. It is a great product for Drywood Termites which are all in the wood they are infesting. When dealing with subterranean it is best to use a product like Termidor SC or Dominion which will be a slow kill and have a transfer effect so that it can kill the entire colony below ground.
Bora-Care cannot be used on trees or plants. It is for cut lumber only. Borates will kill any living plant, shrub, grass or tree. Termites do not attack live, healthy trees. If you have termites in a tree you would need to treat the nest directly by drilling holes into the dead parts of the tree where the colony is infesting. This can be done with something like Dominion 2L or a foam like Termidor Foam.
Boracare should not leave any kind of visible residue once it has dried. If you are seeing spots that look shiny, this is usually because these areas have not yet fully dried. In most cases, it takes 24-48 hours for a Boracare application to dry thoroughly.
No, you would not mix Bora-Care with Termidor SC for a single application. Bora-Care is a wood treatment product that is great for drywood termites. Termidor SC is made to adhere to soil and is poured in a 6-inch deep trench that is dug around the foundation of the home. So depending on which type of termite you have will determine which product would be best for you.
Yes, after Bora-Care is applied and it dries, you can paint or use a stain on the wood.
Unfortunately, we currently only ship within the United States.
Per Boracare's label you need to allow the first application to dry by waiting at least 20 minutes in between applications. For some applications, like when treating for Subterranean or Formosan termites, you may need to wait at least an hour between applications.
Boracare can be used on wood that is pressure treated, but it may take longer to absorb into the wood. In some cases, such as in a pre-construction termite treatment, pressure treated wood must be treated with Boracare. Boracare is preferred over other treatments such as Timbor in treating furniture because Boracare dries clear and will leave the furniture in its natural state. It will also absorb much further into the wood so you know the infestation is treated. Boracare is diluted with water at a 1:1 - 1:5 ratio depending on the pest you are targeting.
Bora-Care can be applied to raw, natural wood and penetrate 4 inches into the wood surfaces. It is recommended to apply to all sides of the wood for the best results. You will mix it at a 1:1 ratio for active drywood termites and it should be diluted with hot water in a separate container and mixed completely first. After it is mixed properly, you can add it to your spray tank for application. Please refer to the link below for the application chart based on dimensions.
Bora-Care can take up to 90 days to completely penetrate through all of the wood to where all of the termites are. Bora-Care does not kill the termites by touch. The termites walking on the wood are not effected. Bora-Care kills the termites by ingestion. After the Bora-Care has moved through the wood, the termites that are still in the wood will die when they continue to eat and ingest the Bora-Care with the wood. You should treat all exposed sides of the wood that you can get to. One treatment is normally enough unless the wood you are treating is more than 8 inches thick. The termites will not spread easily to other areas so that is not a concern.
