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Borate Products for Termite Control

Borate Products for Termite Control

Boron is a basic chemical element. This element is found in fruits, vegetables, body care products and some cleaning compounds. It just so happens that it doesn't harm humans in small quantities. However, termites hate boron. Once ingested by termites, the boron interferes with their ability to extract energy from the food (your wood!) that they eat. So, if you coat the wood in your house with boron or chemicals (borates) that contain large amounts of boron, you can repel them from your house.

Boric acid, borax and a chemical called disodium octaborate (DOT) contain lots of boron. These chemicals readily dissolve in water and can be applied with common hand pump spray devices. The fact that the boron dissolves easily in water is its only weakness. If you apply borates to wood that you know will remain dry for long periods of time, termites will be repelled. However, if the wood can get wet, the borates will be leached from the wood and your house will be vulnerable to attack.


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The following companies will gladly supply you with information regarding how to purchase chemicals from their local distributors and how to apply these termite repellents. You get an extra benefit: Not only do the borates repel termites, but they do a great job against carpenter ants and beetles.

  • Nisus Corporation
    215 Dunavent Drive
    Rockford, Tennessee 37853
    800-264-0870
    They make Bora-care, Niban Granular Bait and Jecta Diffusible Boracide.
  • Perma-Chink Systems, Inc.
    1605 Prosser Road
    Knoxville, Tennessee 37914
    800-548-3554
    They make Shellguard Guardian.
  • Sashco
    10300 E. 107th Place
    Brighton, Colorado 80601
    800-767-5656
    They make Penetreat Impel Rods.
  • U.S. Borax
    26877 Tourney Road
    Valencia, California 91355
    800-984-6267
    They make Tim-bor Insecticide.

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