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Timbor
Fungicide, Insecticide & Wood Preservative
-A low
toxicity wood treatment for insects and rot
fungi-
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Summary: Timbor is a natural
insecticide and fungicide that is widely used as a
wood preservative for protection against both
insects and fungi. It is composed of nearly pure
sodium borate, a crystalline salt form of boric
acid. It is applied as a dry powder to wall voids or
as a water solution to dry, unfinished wood
surfaces.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Timbor
is an insecticide/fungicide/wood preservative
composed of 98% sodium borate (borax), a
sodium salt of boric acid. Timbor itself is a white,
fluffy powder that can be puffed in to wall voids
for carpenter ant control, or dissolved in water and
applied as a course spray* to surfaces. See the fact
sheet and specimen label below for
additional technical and product use information.
As an
insecticide/fungicide Timbor is labeled for use
against termites, wood destroying
beetles, carpenter ants, and wood
decay fungi. It is very effective against many
of the most important wood destroying organisms and
exhibits relatively low toxicity compared to other
pesticides.
When used
as a spray borate crystals are deposited on the wood
when the water dries and may even penetrate a short
distance into the surface. Borate acts as a stomach
poison to any insect that comes into contact with
this layer. Keep in mind that since borate is water
soluble it must be used in dry situations or sealed
over to make it waterproof. Often, water proof
stains are applied once the spray dries.
* Timbor is
not a wettable powder formulation but rather dissolves
completely in water to make a true solution.
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Borax (sodium borate)
crystals from which Timbor and other
borate products are made. Photo by Aram
Dulyan, Wikipedia
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Timbor label and fact sheet
A specimen
label (see below) contains all of the
information for using and registering a pesticide
product in the US but it is not
attached to an actual product therefore
specimen labels should only be used for general
reference. The label attached to the product you are
using has the final, often amended information.
The main ingredient in Timbor, borax,
is mined as a crystal of nearly pure sodium borate.
Borax itself has many commercial uses including
water softening, flame retardant, glass additive,
and as an insecticide/fungicide. See the Related
Articles below for more information.
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Purchasing
and using Timbor
Timbor
is sold as a water soluble powder generally in 1 lb
bags and 25 lb pails. A 1 lb bag makes 1 gal of
working solution (most applications). Two coats,
applied with a pump sprayer or paint roller, are
often needed, see label instructions. The dry
powder can also be used to treat wall voids
for carpenter ants. Like other borate-based wood
preservatives Timbor is generally not available in
stores but is available here
and at the 'Bugs
Store.
What are the
Important Wood Destroying Insects?
Other Wood
Preservatives That Contain Borate
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for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
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