A very effective and relatively safe termiticide substance that can be
used on new construction is Tim-Bor (U.S. Borax and Chemical Corp.).
This powdered borate product (a boric-acid compound somewhat like borax)
is diluted with water and sprayed on all the wood framing. Tim-Bor
actually penetrates wood all the way through to the heart.
Unfortunately, Tim-Bor is water-soluble, so rain and other precipitation
can wash it off before the exterior sheathing or siding is in place. If
that occurs, the solution will have to be reapplied. (A good way to
apply Tim-Bor to a new house is to spray it on all the wood framing
after the roofing, siding, doors and windows are in place, all of which
will, of course, protect the structure from the weather.) Another
concern with Tim-Bor is that any solution that reaches the ground could
damage grass or surrounding trees. Therefore, if Tim-Bor is used on your
site, make certain that the package directions are followed carefully.
Treatment with Tim-Bor is said to provide permanent termite control. To
have Tim-Bor used on your new house or room addition, call the
manufacturer for the nearest pest-control company that uses it.
In an existing house, it is generally only possible to spray Tim-Bor on
wood that is exposed in a basement or crawl space. This may be
sufficient to eradicate some termite infestations. However, in some
houses, it may not be possible to get to the termite-eaten wood to be
able spray it.
For less-toxic spot-treating of subterranean-termite infestations, try
using an injectable pyrethrin (an extract made from chrysanthemum flower
heads) at the sites of the termite activity. One brand of this is
Tri-Die (Whitmire Research Labs.). To buy it, call the company for the
nearest dealer.
Another spot-treatment method is to use injections of predatory
nematodes (minute types of roundworms). These creatures are quite
effective in attacking and killing termites. The nematodes are mixed in
water and the solution is injected into the soil around a house. The
tiny nematodes then seek out termites and kill them. If you’re
interested in this approach, contact a supplier such as N-Viro Products
Ltd. for an applicator in your area. Note that, applications of both
pyrethrin and nematode injections may have to be repeated to be
effective and that they don’t remain active against termites for
extended periods of times.
-- John Bower, The Healthy House Institute http://www.hhinst.com/ email: healthy@bloomington.in.us 430 N. Sewell Road, Bloomington, IN 47408 Phone/fax 812-332-5073 __________________________________________________________________ This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com) and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org. __________________________________________________________________