Integrated Protection Against Lyctid Beetle Infestations–Part III: Implementing Boron Treatment of Virola Lumber in Brazil

Industry trial treatments and results of analyses for boron content are described in this report. These results helped in developing the commercial use of the dip-diffusion treatment of unseasoned banak (Virola spp.) lumber with a polyborate (TIM-BOR, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate) at the Brazilian wood supply plant of a U.S. manufacturer of mouldings. In commercial treatments, loosely strapped, partially stickered packets of freshly sawn lumber are immersed for about 1 minute in a 25 percent boric acid equivalent solution of polyborate maintained at 130?F by steam heat. Dipped boards were stacked immediately with stickers for 7 days under a roof to allow diffusion of borate into the wood. About 1.6 percent sodium pentachlorophenate was used in the solution to inhibit growth of mold fungi during this time. Treated lumber was predried and preplaned (which removes sodium pentachlorophenate) before production of mouldings in the United States. An estimated 39 pounds of polyborate were used per 1,000 board feet (a chemical cost of $0.02/BF at 1985 prices). The borate dip-diffusion treatment with sodium pentachlorophenate has been used commercially since 1982. This treatment has adequately protected lumber from deterioration by lyctid beetles or stain fungi; moulding products have been protected from beetles or decay fungi when wood was used in situations that avoid leaching.

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