La Manzanilla.info Message Board Archives

experiment in non toxic termite control...

Posted by Carol Lopez on November 20, 2014, 3:48 pm
187.148.175.31

...that seems to have worked!!

I had brought some cradled panels, made of pine or some other soft wood,
from Canada, to paint on. Two of them got termites in the joint
where the cradle was attached to the panel. I'll attach a picture below.

I made a solution of borax and water, and painted it on with a stiff brush,
working it into the joints, then sealed
the panels up in a plastic bag for the 6 months I've been away.

There's no more damage and no sign of the termites, so it worked for
killing them, and preventing more damage.
I'm happy, as those panels were expensive. From now on, I'll
treat all soft wood, including local pine furniture, with borax as a
prevention... better than
using the toxic stuff that is so commonly used here.

The lines you can see in this image are those dreaded termite tracks,
the white residue is dried borax.



-----------------------------

Re: experiment in non toxic termite control...

Posted by Cruzc on November 20, 2014, 8:35 pm, in reply to "experiment in non toxic termite control..."
187.146.142.94

Hola, Carol. Atta way to go and you even got the picture on the 'Board'. You are buzzing, Cruz
-----------------------------

Re: experiment in non toxic termite control...

Posted by Kathy B on November 21, 2014, 4:36 am, in reply to "Re: experiment in non toxic termite control..."
187.146.131.1

Do you remember how much water to how much Borax? Thanks.
-----------------------------

Re: experiment in non toxic termite control...

Posted by raul Gonzalez Gonzalez on November 21, 2014, 5:23 pm, in reply to "Re: experiment in non toxic termite control..."

Hi Carol, where can you buy borax? Sounds like a great idea!
-----------------------------

Re: experiment in non toxic termite control...

Posted by Carol Lopez on November 21, 2014, 7:08 am, in reply to "Re: experiment in non toxic termite control..."
187.148.175.31

Thanks, Cruz, and see you later, OK?

Kathy, I just remembered Davison Collins recommends using the Borax and Boric Acid one to one, and then add enough water to make a slurry, about the consistency of yogurt. After you put it on, it will dry to a crystallized course powder.

Has anyone tried using it in papalas to prevent scorpions, etc.?
-----------------------------

Re: experiment in non toxic termite control...

Posted by Carol Lopez on November 21, 2014, 5:35 pm, in reply to "Re: experiment in non toxic termite control..."
187.148.213.167

Hola Raul,

I think I bought the borax at Hawaii in Melaque. It is also used
for adding to laundry detergent.

THe boric acid can be found in pharmacies, it seems to come only
in small packets. I think Davison Collins found the best recipe was to mix
them together.
-----------------------------