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Boric Acid to Treat for Bugs??

C

Charles Johnson

Joined
Dec 8, 2010
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Location
Western North Carolina
I was recently given some very nice cherry logs that unfortunately turned out to have powder post beetles in them. I would like to treat the cut up blanks to kill the little buggers, rather than let them chew up/ruin the wood and, much worse, be invited into my shop. A while ago, a termite inspector suggested spraying with bifenthrin, but that's nasty stuff and I wouldn't want to turn such treated wood into small shavings and sawdust all over myself.

Boric acid was an alternative suggested by the local ag extension officer. Seems much more promising, either as disodium octaborate tetrahydrate in Bora-Care (fairly expensive at $70 to $120 for a gallon jug) or boric acid powder ($15 for a 5# bag).

Does anyone have experience with either of these products? One issue is effectiveness; the more important one is health safety. Any other ideas? I'll adopt whatever program for all incoming raw wood. Many thanks.
 
heavy duty trash bag hooked up to car exhaust
 
I've heard that many times but have yet to try it. Putting the suspect wood in a plastic bag with moth balls works. I good friend tried it and had great success.
 
I use borate rods in posts that go straight into the ground, and they clearly kill bugs, because I find dead bugs near where the rods are inserted. All the info suggests that you shouldn't touch borate rods with bare hands, so while borates are fairly green, I can't imagine the wood could be considered food grade after use.
Carbon dioxide seems like a great idea, or possibly freezing long term. I wonder about soaking/ponding in salty water for a while.
 
Powder post beetles are active only about two or three weeks per year. That leaves a long dormancy to treat the wood. Microwave useable pieces, treat with boric acid, or heat them up to the point that the eggs are killed.

If you can arrange a sort of kiln, powder post beetles are very suceptible to heat. 120 degrees f for over 30 minutes does them in. A solar kiln, ought to reach that temperature..
 
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