Powdered 
     Penetreat
      Tim-bor

Crystalline-Solid
     Impel Rods
     Cobra Rod

Liquid-Glycol Carrier
    Bora-Care
    Shell Guard

Borates-General Information

Borate wood preservatives have successfully been used to protect wood from attacks by wood-boring insects and decay-causing fungi for over forty years. Their widespread use was initially pioneered in New Zealand and Australia in the 1940's and 50's where it continues to be a leading preservation method. Borates have been used to successfully, and safely, preserve log homes, frame houses, historic boats and other wooden artifacts.
With pressure mounting from the Environmental Protection Agency and consumers becoming more educated about their pest control options, borate-based treatments are gaining momentum for the treatment of wood-destroying organisms among PCOs across the country. Borates are a naturally occurring mineral salt mined in California. They work by eliminating wood as a food source or harborage for termites, carpenter ants, wood-destroying beetles and decay fungi. The wood becomes nonviable to them; therefore, the pests don't feed on the affected wood. If borates are consumed, they kill the microorganisms that produce enzymes in the insect's stomach, the insect can't absorb nutrients and it will starve to death.

Borates are water soluble, inorganic borate salt with insecticidal and fungicidal properties that are effective against many wood destroying organisms, including the following:
     Termites:
          Subterranean, Drywood and Dampwood
     Beetles:
          Powderpost. "False" Powdered Beetles, Furniture Beetles, Longhorn Beetles,
          Bark and Timber Beetles
     Old House Borers 
     Carpenter Ants

Note: Don't let the borates dry on your window glass. If you do, R.M. of Northern California found this method to clean the glass. He first wiped down the glass with turpentine and then used a razor blade to scrape off the "finish" overspray, then he applied "Lime Away" and again used a razor blade to get the balance of the "hard water" spots. Lots of work, so mask off the windows or be extra careful.

Borates- Powdered

Penetreat    Tim-Bor

 

Powdered Borates are normally applied in one of two ways.
Diluted with water to make a solution that is applied by sprayer or brush. 
Applied as a dry powder. 
Drill holes and fill with powder, or "dust" liberally in wall voids, around the inside base of foundation. 

They provide protection against termites, carpenter ants, wood boring beetles and wood rot.

For maximum penetration of borate solutions such as TimberSaver, Tim-bor, and  Penetreat, mist the log walls with water from a garden hose a couple of times prior to applying  the borate solution. Be sure to get all checks and the log ends damp. By wetting the outer layers of wood cells before you apply the borates, you'll allow the borates to migrate deeper into your wood. 

After the logs have dried for a couple of days, (under optimum conditions), you can then apply your finish. Prior to application of finish, any residual borate crystals on the surface of the wood should be removed with an Osborn buffing brush, stiff bristle brush, (not metal) or lightly damp cloth. This should help to keep the borates from reacting with your finish.
 

          Data sheets are available for all borate  products
Contact Us for additional information

No one wants to replace logs after investing so much in their home. You shouldn't have to either. Treat your logs right from the start. When sprayed or brushed on your home, PeneTreat^TM, a borate-based wood preservative, forms a shell of protection to defend against rot, most wood-destroying insects and fungi. PeneTreat^TM is a powder that is mixed with water and then applied with a brush or sprayed on with a garden sprayer. It is also EPA-approved. PeneTreat^TM will not effect the color of wood, interfere with stain or caulk adhesion, and is completely odorless. Low cost and easy application make PeneTreat^TM the popular choice.

Can be applied by brushing, spraying, dipping, kerf-flooding, or hole flooding. Mix 1 loosely packed quart, (1 lb.), of powder to 1 gallon of water. Apply at rate of 1 liquid gallon per 150 sf of surface area. Remember apply a second coat 4-24 hours later. Saturate all up-facing checks and cut ends of wood. 

Two sizes available.

          3-1/2 gallon: Yields 15+ gallons of 10% solution.
                                 Coverage 1125 s.f. of surface area.
          6 gallon:        Yields 27+ gallons of 10% solution.
                                 Coverage 2025 s.f. of surface area.

Estimated yields are based on two coats.
Not available in California

$76.95
Not available in California

Tim-bor-CRP0030TB

EPA registered preservative. Protects against rot, mildew, insects and fungi. Tim-bor is a powdered concentrate of water-soluble inorganic borate salt that you mix with water when you are ready to apply. Can be applied by brushing, spraying, dipping, kerf-flooding, or hole flooding. Mix 1 loosely packed quart, (1 lb.), of powder to 1 gallon of water. Apply at rate of 1 liquid gallon per 200 sf of surface area. Remember apply a second coat 4-24 hours later. Saturate all up-facing checks and cut ends of wood. 
Estimated yields are based on two coats.

Thus:
1-1/2lb. 150 s.f.
25lb.   2500 s.f.

$10.95 - 1-1/2 lb.
$79.95 Box 8 (12 lb.)

$129.95 - 25 lbs.

Borates-Crystalline-Solid

Impel Rods     Cobra Rods

Soon after a post is installed, the above ground wood dries and checks, exposing the untreated interior wood and the onset of rot at the ground line is inevitable. Fungal attack cannot occur in dry wood with less than 20% moisture content (MC). Wood at the groundline is usually above 25%MC and with the combination of air (oxygen), temperature and food source (wood) the conditions for fungal spore growth are perfect. 

One of the major differences between Impel Rods and Post Guard rods  is the addition of Copper  to the Post Guard Rods. This works as both a preservative and slows the dissolving process which may or may not be preferred.

NOTE: Sorry, We can't send Impel or Cobra Rods to Canada. The labeling is wrong is for out of country sale.

IMPEL Rods are molded from water-diffusible borates and are highly concentrated for maximum efficiency. When inserted into decaying wood or wood in high risk areas, IMPEL rods diffuse very slowly and provide a controlled and long lasting release of borate preservative. The diffusion process depends on moisture to work. When moisture contents reach levels suitable for decay attack, (around 20-25%), IMPEL rods begin to diffuse throughout both the sapwood and heartwood for total protection. If moisture levels drop below this level, the preservative becomes dormant and provides a reserve ready to reactivate when decay conducive conditions recur. (there is some disagreement at just what % moisture content this happens at). 
In consistently moist environments, (such as fence posts), IMPEL rods retain their effectiveness for 3 to 10 years. Their effectiveness can be enhanced if wood surfaces are sealed with a paint or water repellent sealer. Rods should be checked periodically and new rods inserted, when necessary.
Treated plugs are available to easily seal the hole you have drilled to insert the impel rod into.

NOTE: Impel rods will soon transition to a new packaging and name...Bor8 rods.

Click HERE for additional Impel Rod information and installation tips.
Click HERE for suggestions on inspecting your home for possible decay and impel rod placement.

Box-12    $     42.95   
Box-100  $   328.95 
Box-500  $1,548.95

Use 7/8" plugs shown below

Box-12    2 lbs.
Box-100  12lbs.  
Box-500  56lbs.   

Box-12     $  17.95
Box-100   $135.95
Box-500   $649.95

Use 5/8" plugs shown below or plastic plugs in the cobra rod section below

Box-12   1 lb.
Box-100  4 lb.  
Box-500  16 lbs 

Box-12     $   29.95
Box-100   $ 237.95
Box-750   $ 999.95

Use 5/8" plugs shown below or plastic plugs in the cobra rod section below

Box-12   2 lb.
Box-100  8 lb.
Box-750 46 lbs.
 
 

Box-24     $  39.95
Box-100   $ 181.95

Box-24  1 lb.
Box-100 2 lbs.
. 
 

Box-24     $20.95
Box-100   $79.95

Box-24     1 lb.
Box-100   1 lb.
 

5/8" use with 1/2" rods
7/8" use with 3/4" rods

1-3 lbs depending on size on quantity  

Cobra Rods can be used in house logs, log and timber posts, landscape timbers, deck joists and posts and other places where moisture is present. 

Cobra Rod is a wood preservative, fungicide and insecticide. The product takes the form of a solid cylindrical rod that is about an inch in diameter and comes in 2 inch lengths. The rod is a deep green color and has a glass-like look and feel. Each rod comes with a treated capping plug that is designed for removal and post re-treatment. These compounds are melted and fused into the form of a solid glass-like rod, which begins to dissolve with moisture in the wood and travels throughout the entire wood section at the groundline zone. Cobra Rod will arrest early stages of decay and set up a defensive protection for years.

Treatment cycle is 8 to 10 years.

Major Electric Utility and Hydro Companies throughout North America have used 'Cobra Rod' for years to extend the life of their wood utility poles. The product is proven to have saved these companies 10's of millions of dollars in remediation and pole replacement costs over the past 20 years.

The Cobra Rod rod is installed inside the post at the ground level to protect the entire wood member at this most susceptible area.. It's safe to handle and is made entirely of a unique Boron and Copper Hydroxide complex. 

Cobra Rod is a safe, low cost, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA - US) and Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA - Canada) approved decay protection and prevention system for wood. 

NOTE:1/2" stock is closer to 3/8" 

Active ingredients are Boron, (Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate and Boric Acid) and Copper, (Cupric Hydroxide as copper metal).

Sorry...can't ship these to Canada or Hawaii.

Pack of 10  $  19.95 (comes with plastic plug caps)
Box of 50    $  75.95 w/o plugs
Box of 100  $142.95 w/o plugs

Use plastic plugs shown below or 5/8" wood plugs shown above in the Impel Rod section.

Pack 10  1 lb.
Box 50  2 lbs.
Box 100 3 lbs.

Box-50     $  139.95 w/o plugs
Box-100   $  259.95 w/o plugs
Box-500   $1169.95 w/o plugs

NOTE: box 500 special order

Use plastic plugs shown below or 5/8" wood plugs shown above in the Impel Rod section.

Box-50  3 lbs.
Box-100 5 lbs.
Box-500 24 lbs.   

Box-12     $  41.95 w/o plugs
Box-100   $  328.95 w/o plugs

Use 7/8" wood plugs shown above in the Impel Rod section.

Box-12  2 lbs.
Box-100 12 lbs.
   

Box of   50 plugs   $12.95
Box of 100 plugs   $24.95 

50 plugs 1 lb.
100 plugs 2 lbs.
500 plugs 8 lbs.

Borates- Liquid-Glycol carried

Liquified Borates help against the following:

BORA-CARE is glycol-borate solution for wood treatment that provides long lasting protection..  

BORA-CARE is directly applied to the wood and in return eliminates the wood as a food source. Water-soluble and contains glycol, which provides deeper penetration into the wood. By diffusing deep into wood fibers, BORA-CARE lasts for as long as wood is in service.  
BORA-CARE is recommended for the remedial control of powder post beetles and as the product of choice for subterranean termites supported by  the efficacy data and field study applications at Mississippi State. 
Also provides protection against Formosan termites, old house borers, and wood-destroying beetles

Bora-Care has a higher percentage of active ingredient that Shell-guard that is listed below.

Coverage is based on a 1 to 1 dilution ration (1 gallon diluted with 1 gallon of water makes 2 gallons of diluted product). The use of warm or hot water and an impeller type mixer used on an electric drill, aids in the dilution process. Use 1:1 solutions within 24 hours. Can be applied by brush, injection, spray or roller. 
For powderpost beetles, drywood termites and decay fungi the dilution ratio can be 5:1 (5 parts water to 1 part Bora-Care), use two applications when surface spraying (which is only used for preventative)
Application rates are calculated at a rate of 1 gallon of solution to 400 bf (board feet) of wood.
6"  logs = 167 lineal feet
8"  logs = 96  lineal feet
10" logs = 61 lineal feet
12" logs = 43 lineal feet
Note: For long term protection, exterior wood surfaces which have been treated with Bora-Care will require a top coating with a water resistant finish, paint or exterior stain. Apply within six weeks of treatment. 
Allow Bora-Care to cure a minimum of 2 days prior to any top coating.

$104.95 - gallon
$419.80 - case-4 gal.

12 lbs. shipping
46 lbs. shipping

Concentrated  (20-30 % Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate), borate-based fungicide and wood preservative for the protection of new and old log homes.
Considered a termiticide, insecticide, fungicide.
Contains no Ethylene Glycol
Coverage is approximately 200 square feet per gallon. 
Apply with low pressure sprayer or fine bristle brush.
1 coat application. Interior and exterior. 
Dries in 2-4 weeks. To test for dryness, check for tackiness early in the morning. When there is no tackiness in the morning, wait an additional 2 days then coat.
Needs to be "sealed" into the wood for permanence with your application of wood finish.

$106.95 gallon
$193.95 2-1/2 gallon
$356.95 5 gallon

Shellguard 'Ready to Use' is ready to apply (needs no dilution)...and has the advantage of drying quicker, thus ready for a coat of finish sooner than Shellguard concentrate or Bora Care.

$  88.95 gallon
$124.95 2-1/2 gallon
$217.95 5 gallon