Tim-bor Professional Borate Insecticide & Fungicide

Tim-bor Professional is a water-soluble borate powder from Nisus Corporation. Dissolved in water and brushed or sprayed onto bare wood, it penetrates the surface and protects logs and timber against wood-destroying insects and decay fungi.

Active ingredient: disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, 98%. EPA Reg. No. 64405-8.

What it controls

From the manufacturer’s label:

• Insects: subterranean, drywood and dampwood termites; powderpost beetles; deathwatch beetles; furniture beetles; old house borers; longhorned beetles; carpenter ants
• Fungi: white rot, brown rot and wet rots

Mixing and application

• 10% solution: 1 lb of Tim-bor per finished gallon. 15% solution: 1.5 lbs per gallon.
• Add roughly 80% of the water first, then add the powder gradually while stirring.
• Brush or spray at 5 gallons of solution per 1,000 sq ft of wood surface.
• Also labeled for drill-and-inject, dusting at 0.5 oz of powder per sq ft, and foam injection. For foam, add 1 to 2 oz of foaming agent per gallon.

One thing to know before you treat exterior logs

The label covers interior and exterior wood “that will be protected from excessive rain and not in direct contact with the soil.” Borates are water-soluble — which is exactly what lets them move into the wood, and also what lets rain leach them back out. On exterior logs, apply Tim-bor to bare wood and then seal it in with a stain and topcoat.

Safety

• Signal word: CAUTION. Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Causes moderate eye irritation.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, shoes, chemical-resistant gloves and protective eyewear.
• Store dry, away from children and animals.
• Read and follow the complete product label before use.