Timber Treatment for Borer Control
Borer beetles are notorious for damaging and weakening timber structures, including house framing, ceilings, foundation piles, and trusses. These pests are especially problematic in homes and buildings constructed before the 1970s when reliable and long-lasting timber treatments were not yet commonplace. Many of these older homes were built using untreated timber, making them particularly vulnerable to borer beetle infestations.
How Borer Damages Timber
Borer beetles cause damage by chewing tunnels and cavities within the wood, making it their home. Over time, this tunneling can significantly weaken the timber, leading to structural issues. If left untreated, borer beetles will continue to multiply, accelerating the rate of damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Ecosan for Borer control?
Selection of ingredients
There a several approaches to Borer control which have been proven effective over time. All of these treatments have advantages and disadvantages. Some of these treatments have risks and the financial cost of each treatment is different.
It is important to be familiar with the particular services being offered by acknowledging what is the expected result for your investment and also what is not being received.
As is true of many services, often the financial outlay will reflect the quality of the service. For example Water based treatments are much faster to apply and consume less costly ingredients.
Solvent treatments are more expensive because they consume more time, materials, training, insurance, and ingredients. However the long term advantages of this treatment are significantly better.
Correct selection of ingredients
The incorrect selection of the ingredients presents several risks to your Borer control site. Examples include:
Choosing the right pest control technician
Many buildings Ecosan has inspected over the years have been previously treated with some method for the control of Borer. Usually by a previous owner.
Often there are indications of Borer activity and at first observation the Borer appears inactive, as if the previous treatment has been successful.
However quite often when our technician’ venture deeper into the crawlspace of the ceiling or the under site it becomes evident that Borer is indeed active in the furthest most perimeter of the site.
Why is this?
Often the reason behind this occurrence is not because Borer prefers these areas, rather, the previous company or their employee failed to properly access these areas during the treatment. Of course it is very difficult for the client to gauge the success of the work solicited as they do not have the knowledge or seldom inspect these areas of their building. Also they are not onsite during the treatment due to health and safety laws. It is very difficult even for a professional to confirm if areas have been correctly treated. Only the technician doing the work has this knowledge.
It is not uncommon for technicians to enter into the roof void or the crawl space and utilise a blower type machine which pushes the active ingredients into the air space. This treatment is suitable for spiders and other insects and sometimes shorter term Borer treatment. However it is not suitable for professional Borer treatment.
These methods are however common and much faster than the appropriate methods. Also using less chemical outlay, they present an attractive option for some operators.
It is in the best interests of the home owner to ensure proper methods are used during treatments to avoid a false sense of security held in the treatment company.
Evidence of due diligence
Often our clients ask if there is some evidence thorough work has been undertaken in their building after Borer treatment.
Borer control solutions are invisible so a visual inspection cannot verify properly discharged services.
In these instances, it is not practical to utilize a dye as proof the treated area has been completed as used in the timber treatment at the mill, also this would mean the client must enter the treatment area and carry out an inspection.
Documentation
Where ever possible Ecosan will document the treatment process. This can be provided to our clients as reassurance the work paid for has been carried out as expected. For more information on our processes contact our Ecosan team today.
For professional Borer treatments , contact Ecosan for an inspection ->
Identifying Borer Infestations
Identifying a borer infestation is relatively straightforward. The most obvious sign is the presence of small holes on the timber surface, which are created by the borer larvae as they enter the wood. Additionally, you may notice frass, a powder-like sawdust that the borer expels while creating space inside the timber. The presence of frass usually indicates an active infestation rather than a historic one. In some cases, you might also find larger holes, roughly the size of a pencil, which could be the work of a two-tooth borer, a particularly large beetle that can remain inside timber for years.
EcoSan Solutions for Borer Infestations
At EcoSan Solutions, we offer effective borer control through the application of a wet formulation directly to the affected timbers. This treatment can either involve a boron-based solution suspended in water or ethylene glycol, or an application of residual insecticide. The product is applied using a coarse spray through an airless sprayer machine, ensuring that it penetrates below the timber’s surface.
Penetration into the timber is crucial for the treatment’s effectiveness, as it ensures long-lasting protection—up to 10 years—against borer beetles and prevents re-infestation.
Boron or Insecticide: Which Is Better?
Scientific studies have demonstrated that both boron and insecticide treatments are equally effective in controlling borer beetles. Both methods have comparable residual capabilities, providing excellent long-term protection.
Keys to Effective Borer Control
For optimal borer control, it is essential that the treatment is correctly applied to ensure deep penetration into the timber. The correct dosage of the active ingredient is also crucial for long-lasting protection. EcoSan Solutions uses only micro-emulsion ingredients, which penetrate deeper due to the small molecular size of the active ingredients. Our products are manufactured in New Zealand under strict quality control using refined, high-quality ingredients.
Protect your home from borer beetles with EcoSan Solutions’ expert borer control services in Auckland. Contact us today to ensure the longevity and safety of your timber structures.
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