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
