Some borates come in a powdered form, you simply mix the powder with water and apply it to the wood. It can be very effective if applied to wood that is not being hit by water or too exposed to the elements. Water can wash the borate out of the wood.
What is the difference between Bora-Care and timbor?
Timbor is used at 1.5 lbs of Timbor to each gallon of water. Bora-Care is mixed 1:1, one gallon of Bora-Care to one gallon of water which will make two finished gallons. Both products should be mixed in a 5 gallon bucket and then poured in your sprayer to use.
Does Bora-Care smell?
Since BORA-CARE has no odor or toxic fumes, it may not even be necessary to leave your home or office during application. Wood treated with BORA-CARE is non-toxic to people and animals. Wood freshly treated with BORA-CARE will appear slightly darker than untreated wood.
How long does Bora-Care take to work?
Answer: Bora-Care will take at least 30 days usually to diffuse through the entire piece of wood. This of course depends on the thickness and moisture content of the wood. It starts to work as soon as it begins to penetrate the wood it is applied to.
How long does Bora-Care last?
How long will Bora-Care® stay in the wood? Since Bora-Care® is derived from minerals, once the active ingredient diffuses into the wood it will remain indefinitely. There are no natural forces that will degrade or break down the product inside the wood.
Is borate the same as borax?
Boric acid is made from the same chemical compound as borax and even looks like it. But while borax is commonly used in cleaning, boric acid is mainly used as a pesticide.
How much does borate cost?
You can’t lose with borate because it’s relatively inexpensive. The cost is $95 to $120 per gallon, and you can treat about 800 board feet of wood, the equivalent of 150 2x4s, 8′ long, or the average amount of lumber in an unfinished basement.
What is Bora-Care made of?
Bora-Care contains an inorganic borate salt, soluble in water, with insecticidal and fungicidal properties effective against wood destroying organisms, including the target pests listed below.
How do you make homemade Bora-Care?
Both must be diluted 50 / 50 with water, just before application.
1 gallon of pre-diluted Bora Care will treat 800 BF. 1 gallon glycol (9.3 lbs) + 3.72 lbs Borax, + 2.48 lbs boric acid. 1 gallon glycol, 4.5 lbs Borax, 3.5 lbs boric acid. 5 gallons for $100 – It probably weighs about 35 lbs.
How long does it take for Bora-Care to dry?
Answer: You should allow areas treated with Bora-Care to dry for 24-48 hours before touching or painting them. Most applicators apply two coats of Bora-Care for best results.
Can you make Bora-Care with borax?
We made a batch of the Boracare copy using borax, boric acid, and propylene glycol, but heating propylene Glycol to 260 degrees F is scary (hotter than flash point), and the high concentration of glycol discolored the wood and left a blotchy look. Also the high borate concentration left a coating of white dust.
Can you paint over Bora-Care?
Boracare can be painted, sprayed, or foamed and will penetrate up to 4 inches into the wood but the wood will need to be sanded first and treated. The wood could be painted, stained and sealed after the product dries. If sealed, it will last for the life of the wood.
Can Bora-Care be used indoors?
BoraCare can be used indoors safely. It is considered a green product and is made from natural products. BoraCare is only meant to be applied on wood.
Is Bora-Care toxic to humans?
The active ingredient in Bora-Care, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, is a borate salt compound that is formed from a union of boric acid and borax. It has a very low toxic level to humans and pets, but is very effective against insects and fungus.
How long is Bora-Care good for?
Answer: The shelf life of undiluted Boracare is about 3 years. Once diluted Boracare should be used immediately. Boracare that is left for more than a few hours after it has been diluted will start to separate from the water and will be impossible to get back into a proper diluted form.
How do I permanently get rid of termites?
Some of the best ways to get rid of termites is to apply termite-killing products to your home’s exterior, use direct chemicals on the inside of your home, set up termite baits, and spray boric acid in your floors and walls.
Does Bora-Care work on termites?
Bora-Care® Termiticide, Insecticide and Fungicide Concentrate is a wood treatment with patented glycol penetrants that kills and prevents termites, carpenter ants, wood boring beetles and decay fungi.
