Borates are an ideal material for protecting
buildings from carpenter ants,
termites, and other wood-damaging
insects. They are effective against a broad
spectrum of pests and decay fungi, have
no odor, do not discolor wood, and are
no more toxic to humans than common
table salt.
Borates also offer deep penetration of
dry wood compared with other insecticides
and are readily available from pesticide
formulators and distributors.
Because borates are so effective and so
benign to the environment, their use is
growing rapidly.
Common Uses of Borates
Borate is a generic term for a compound
containing the elements boron
and oxygen. Examples of borates
include boric acid, borax, and disodium
octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT). Boron
compounds are pervasive in our daily
lives. The