BoraCare Wood Preservative

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The active ingredient is Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (a concentrated borate salt). It is mixed with a patented glycol-based carrier that helps the solution penetrate deeply into the wood fibers rather than just sitting on the surface.

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What Is It Used For?

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It is primarily used to protect structural wood from "the big three" wood destroyers:

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• Termites: (Subterranean, Drywood, and Formosan).

 

• Wood-Boring Beetles: (Powderpost beetles, Old House Borers).

 

• Carpenter Ants & Decay Fungi: It prevents rot and stops ants from nesting.

 

How and When Do We Use It?

 

Bora-Care is used in two main scenarios:

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How It’s Applied

 

New Construction: Applied to the bottom 2 feet of all structural wood (studs, sill plates) once the house is "dried-in" (roof and walls are up, but before insulation/drywall). This replaces traditional soil treatments.

 

Remedial / Existing Homes: Used in crawl spaces, attics, or on exposed joists to treat an active infestation or prevent future ones. It is often used when a soil treatment is impossible (e.g., near a lake or well).

Important "Rules" for Use:

 

• ​Bare Wood Only: It will not penetrate wood that is painted, stained, or sealed. You must apply it to raw, unfinished wood.​

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• Mixing: It is a very thick, syrupy concentrate. It is almost always mixed with water at a 1:1 ratio (for active infestations) or 5:1 (for prevention). Using warm water significantly improves the mixing process.

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• Longevity: Because borates are a mineral salt and do not break down, the treatment lasts for the entire life of the wood as long as it is protected from rain (indoors or under a roof).

 

Is It Safe?

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Bora-Care is considered a "green" choice in pest control. It is very low-toxic to mammals (roughly half as toxic as table salt to humans) and has no odor. However, it is still a pesticide, so wearing gloves and a mask during application is standard practice.