TIM-BOR Versus Deadly Termite

Formosan termites, comparatively recent and extremely unwelcome immigrants to the U.S., eat more wood per colony member than any other kind of termite. Uncontrolled, they are deadly to the integrity of building timber. And in New Orleans, noted for its cuisine, they have found a perfect eatery for their voracious activities, the world-famous French Quarter. The high density, wood-framed buildings make it a year-round Mardi Gras for Coptotermes formosanus.

However, U.S. Borax is now teaching the Formosans that there is no such thing as a free lunch. A development program, supported by the technology department, implemented by the market development group, has pioneered insecticidal applications for TIM-BOR® wood preservative borate. Instead of termites destroying the wood, the wood destroys the termites.

Joanne Frankowski is the market development specialist responsible for taking TIM-BOR Insecticide to the termite feeding grounds, ranging from log cabins to New Orleans and national monuments. Safeguarding a major mansion in the French Quarter is an urgent, early mission.

Named after the baroness who built them in 1850, the Upper and Lower Pontalba Buildings comprise 120,000 square feet of architectural heritage and enough wood for a termite empire. Though colonization is believed to be recent, numbers are growing rapidly in this nourishing environment, and at least five percent of the woodwork is already damaged beyond repair. Unlike other termite species, Formosans need no soil contact whatever, so they are more than happy to take up permanent and prolific residence in such a desirable home as the Pontalba. This makes conventional barrier methods of control relatively ineffective, and speeds the rate of wood destruction.

Last year it was decided to take immediate remedial and preventive action while the building was still structurally sound. All badly infested wood is being replaced by wood treated with borate (TIM-BOR® DPT® ) by dip diffusion. This provides virtually permanent protection. The remaining wood, or as much of it as can be accessed, is being treated with TIM-BOR Insecticide by spraying, injection, and dusting.

How does borate penetration protect the wood?

Though slow-acting, borates are extremely toxic to termites - yet in no way repulsive to them. They partake of TIM-BOR-treated wood without detecting any warning signs. What happens is that worker termites go out foraging and bring back supplies of poisoned wood for the rest of the colony and in particular for the queen? In a little while this leads to the decline and fall of the termite empire. The species's known proclivity for cannibalism is another way in which the toxin is spread through the colony.

The amount of wood that is actually eaten poses no threat to the integrity of the timber, but it does leave a superficial etching. Some people find this etching rather attractive in its own right.

But what if new colonies establish themselves, and continue the work begun?

Pest control operators have established that once a colony has been destroyed, new colonies are very unlikely to get established in the same area.