Pre-Construction

Borates are an excellent option for people who want an added layer of termite protection for their newly constructed building. During the dried-in phase of construction, ECOLA will apply Borates directly to the wood, concrete and foundation penetrations in one fast, easy, spray application – and you’re done. Termites can’t consume the wood and they can’t tube over it. Simply put, Borates eliminate more than termites, it eliminates problems.

Reasons Builders Should Use Borates

1. Builders are saving a full day of cycle time by switching to Borate pretreats.Borates eliminate the need to coordinate schedules between concrete companies and pest management professionals (PMPs). Bora-Care is applied during the dried-in phase of construction.
2. Borates eliminate weather delays.Traditional soil treatments require application to dry ground after the footers are dug. Borates are applied directly to the wood and concrete on walls, subfloors, sill plates, piers and expansion joints, as well as around pipe chases and plumbing. Weather is simply not a factor.
3. Borates eliminate the need for crews to leave the job site.In traditional soil pretreatments, workers are required by law to leave the site during application and stay away until the application is completed. With Borates, your crew can keep right on working.
4. HUD allows Borate treatments.The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 99-A form allows direct wood treatment of Borates as a primary termite treatment in new home construction.
5. Efficacy tests show proven results (specifically Bora-Care).Research from a 12-year study by the USDA Forest Service and Mississippi State University’s Forest Products Laboratory showed wood treated with Bora-Care stopped termite attacks and prevented subterranean termites from tubing over treated wood. In addition, tests conducted at Louisiana State University have shown that Borates applied to concrete surfaces will prevent Formosan termite tubing. Treated wood is also protected against carpenter ants, old house borers, powderpost beetles and decay fungi.
6. Treatments near water are no longer a concern.With soil treatments, there is the concern of chemicals leaching into a nearby water source. When you pretreat the wood and concrete, that’s ALL you treat.
7. Soil termiticides can cause CPVC plumbing pipes to leak.Borates (Bora-Care) are the first termiticide listed as chemically compatible with Noveon piping systems. Bora-Care replaces old-fashioned soil termiticides and has been found to be compatible with the CPVC materials of FlowGuard Gold®, BlazeMaster®, and Corzan® pipe and fittings. FGG/BM® System Compatible indicates that this product has been tested and is monitored on an ongoing basis to assure chemical compatibility. In addition, Bora-Care will not corrode metal fasteners, fittings or nails.
8. Toxicity is a rising concern among homeowners.With traditional soil treatments, hundreds of gallons of pesticides are pumped into the ground under and around a home. Borates (Bora-Care) are a low odor termiticide that is applied directly to the wood—answering the concerns of homeowners who are demanding less-toxic alternatives.
9. International building code.Borates (Bora-Care) is listed in the International Building Code and the International Residential Code. Bora-Care meets the sill plate end-cut requirements set by building codes and the American Wood-Preservers’ Association (AWPA M4).
10. Excavation and landscaping do not affect the treatment.Leaky water lines, improper drainage and even the landscaping process can break a soil termiticide barrier, rendering soil pretreatments ineffective by the time the house is complete. With Bora-Care, you’re treating the wood, and once again, a problem is eliminated.

Post-Contruction

It is impossible to treat all wood in a completed house with residual chemicals. Exposed, unfinished wood can be sprayed with borates which repel swarming termites, but keep in mind that untreated wood may still be susceptible to infestation as the borate spray residue will not kill wandering adults on contact. Wall voids and attics can also be sprayed or dusted with various residual insecticides which kill swarming adults in search of a nest site.

Call us today at (800) 332-BUGS (2847)to learn more about preventative treatments or schedule a Free Termite Inspection online.