Use of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate to protect aspen waferboard from termites

Aspen waferboard bonded with phenolic resins was treated with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Tim-Bor?) at two concentrations (0.85% and 3%, weight/weight). Feeding deterrence and mortality were assessed in laboratory tests, with the eastern subterranean termite, Reticuliternies flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Under both forced-feeding and choice-feeding conditions, Tim-Bor treatment inhibited feeding and caused total mortality within 1 month. Notably, the termites significantly preferred to feed on the untreated waferboard compared to dried white pine sapwood. Damage to waferboard also tended to follow sub-surface tunnels rather than surface ruts as in the pine controls. The feeding preference and pattern of damage suggest that aspen waferboard may be particularly susceptible to structural damage by termites. Thus, effective treatment with wood preservatives may be especially important for such phenolic resin-bonded composites.

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