TIM-BOR is a registered trademark of Nisus. Timbor termite treatment is applied to wooden structures for the control of drywood, dampwood and subterranean termites, carpenter ants, wood decay fungi and wood boring beetles in steps, decks, fences, sheds, door frames and others. Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) is a Tim-bor active ingredient (98 %) and a natural borate compound. In fact, this Nisus product is a borax derivative and has the similar properties. Tim-bor Professional acts not only as termicide (insecticide), but also as fungicide, pesticide and wood preservative.
Timbor side effects and benefits
The main advantages of Timbor termite treatment are:
- It is natural.
- It is cheap. Timbor coverage is economical.
- It is highly effective for control and wood protection.
- Timbor and other borates are environmentally-friendly if used as directed in Tim-bor label 1.
- Tim-bor is safe for pregnant, children and pets if not inhaled or eaten and used as directed in Tim-bor MSDS. A human study of occupational exposure to borate dust showed no adverse effect on reproduction.
- It is odorless.
- It is less allergic, it proved not to be a skin sensitizer.
- This product is not carcinogenic and mutagenic according to timbor msds 2.
- Tim-bor termite treatment can be applied safely for interior and exterior use.
The product is a water-soluble, white, fluffy powder that can be used in several formulations: Timbor spray, mist or liquid, Timbor foam and Timbor powder itself. All variations can be applied directly onto/ into wood and cellulosic materials or inside wall voids, cracks and crevices.
The main drawbacks of Timbor termite treatment are: low penetration of active ingredient through the entire piece of wood and poor termite eradication effect.
Tim-bor side effects are that all borate products are water-soluble and when they are used outdoors, the homeowners and professionals must minimize DOT generation and accumulation: avoid spills and cover drains. During clean up and disposal, avoid spillage into soil and water as borate powder may cause damage to trees or vegetation by root absorption and contaminate aquasystems.
Timbor vs Bora Care
Timbor and Bora-Care are borate products of Nisus Corporation. The homeowners often ask about the difference between these two boric acid derivatives.
Tim-bor borate powder is used in three DOT formulations, which are neurotoxic to insects. They are highly efficient for Timbor wood treatment due to the preservative and termite control effects of borax. Poor product penetration (1/4 ” into wood) limits its application range. If you treat any kind of wood with active subterranean, dampwood or drywood termites’ infestations, it is recommended to use glycol based borates such as Bora-Care (Nisus) or Shell Guard (Perma-Chink Systems). Both products contain glycol to increase DOT penetration into/ through wood and to ensure sufficient long-lasting control and proper termite elimination.
Where to buy Timbor?
Tim-bor is a professional product and not generally available for non-specialists in home depots and pest control stores. Timbor termite treatment requires to follow the instructions for category C on the EPA chemical resistance category selection chart and wear personal protective equipment. The operator must examine labeling which accompanied product for directions for use and apply Tim-bor in strict accordance with them. Note that all uses are not likely to be approved in all states. In fact, you can purchase Timbor on ebay and amazon (though it is not for sale to NY and CT):
Tim-Bor Insecticide And Fungicide 1.5 lb Bags 752369
Timbor Insecticide Termiticide Fungicide – 25 Lbs
Tim-bor is sold in 1.5 lb bags, boxes with 8 bags 1.5 lb each and 25 lb buckets.
Wood treatment with Tim-bor preservative against termites
Tim-bor chemical dust dissolves easily and completely in water and provides a thin layer of wood protection.
Depending on the moisture content of the materials, the liquid dilution penetrates the structure in order to create a protective coating or envelope, acting as a wood preservative. The borate powder also provides an additional layer of protection by killing carpenter ants, drywood termite alates and beetles that enter the structure, travel and and forage through it. Tim-bor wood preservative effect lasts a very long time and protects cellulose containing items against aggressive and destructive insects.
Timbor mixing instructions
If you need a 10% Timbor home product (liguid), take one pound of the product and add it to one gallon of water, mix until the dust dissolves. This liquid should be applied twice to a bare wood surface via a paint brush coating or spraying.
If you require a 15% Timbor home product (finished dilution), add 1.5 pounds of Timbor (one 1.5 lb bag) to one gallon of water and stir it properly. This timbor mixing is to be applied only once to the wood surface via coating with a paint brush or spraying.
If you desire to apply 15% Timbor professional foam, you should prepare a 15% Timbor finished dilution first (1.5 lb bag per 1 gallon of water) and add 1-2 oz of a special surfactant-foaming agent. The expansion ratio is 20:1. It means that 1 gallon of Timbor solution produces 20 gallons of dry foam.
If you want to perform Timbor termite treatment diy, this table contains information how to dissolve the powder in water in order to get desired finished formulation
| Desired finished dilution of Timbor | Timbor powder mixing |
|---|---|
| 10% Tim-bor liquid | 1 lb of Tim-bor powder per 1 gallon of water |
| 15% Tim-bor liquid | 1.5 lb of Tim-bor powder per 1 gallon of water |
| 15% Tim-bor foam | 1.5 lb of Tim-bor powder per 1 gallon of water + 1-2 oz of surfactant-foaming agent |
Tim-bor for subterranean termites
Borate powder, which is diluted with water, can be applied for wood treatment against the most wood destroying insects – subterranean termites. Tim-bor is recommended to be used in conjunction with other subterranean termite treatments, including soil and in-concrete treatments and systems of termite baits.
Apply 10% Tim-bor liquid if the evidence of subterranean infestation is detected in dry wood and 15% Timbor solution or 15% Tim-bor foam if they are observed in wood with high and normal moisture level.
Timbor against drywood termites
Tim-bor professional insecticide is preferable for the whole house control of drywood termite colonies. It can be specified to replace fumigation or to supplement fumigation process to provide residual, post-treatment protection.
Apply 10% Tim-bor liquid as their natural habitat is dry wood with low moisture level.
Timbor for dampwood termites
For dampwood termite control treatment use 15% Tim-bor liquid solution or 15% Timbor foam as they live in wood with high moisture level.
How Timbor termite treatment works
Tim-bor contains inorganic borate, which is safe to humans and animals if used as directed and very toxic to wood destroying insects. When the active ingredient – Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate or DOT – gets or sticks on the body of a termite worker or soldier, the individual starts cleaning up itself and consumes the boron during this process. It also shares the toxin with the colony-mates via physical contact: mutual feeding and grooming. The contaminated termites die from starvation in some time.
Timbor termite treatment can kill termites on direct contact and via their social and physical behavior, though it can’t be used as a stand alone product as it is not effective for eliminating purposes. Timbor termite treatment can be performed only for remedial control and wood preservation. The USDA researchers carried out a number of lab experiments.
Woodrow et al. (2006) examined and tested the effect of chlorpyrifos, spinosad, DOT and resmethrin on termites directly in infected areas via liquid injections. The largest mortality of 53-59% was shown by spinsad. Another experiment a year earlier by Woodrow and Grace (2005) gave the best results of 63% termite mortality with DOT. The data were obtained in laboratory conditions. In the field, the results were poor, only several termites died. Scheffrahn et al. (1997) found that injections with DOT powder in the lab caused 80% mortality in the termite colony. In the field the results were also insignificant, causing the death only of some termites. The scientists came to conclusion that Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate in the form of dust and liquid is more effective for control and wood preservative measures than for extermination. 3
Leave a Reply