How to Fumigate Wood
Mix borate and water., Spray the mixture over the wood., Protect the wood from water., Seal the wood with a penetrating water repellant., Heat or freeze wood.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Mix borate and water.
Find a borate chemical wherever pest control products are sold.
Look for Timbor, Boracare, or a similar product.
Follow the directions on their label for use.
Typically, these products are a powder that you must combine with an equal amount of water in a handheld sprayer.Borate works best in wood that won’t be exposed to water.
It is a chemical that is not a threat to your health, unlike gas fumigants. -
Step 2: Spray the mixture over the wood.
Use the handheld sprayer or brush to apply the chemical.
Cover any sides of the wood you can reach.
This is difficult in homes, where most of the wood will be covered, so it’s best to apply borate when the house is framed.If your wood furniture has varnish, you’ll need to strip the varnish so the borate can soak into the wood.
Scrape off the varnish or apply a chemical stripper.
Any stains left by the borate should be wiped up with warm water before the finish is reapplied. , Water washes the borate off the wood.
To ensure it soaks in, cover the wood with a tarp.
Move furniture to a safe storage area.
Make sure there’s no dampness or leaks in the area., Get a product such as Thompson’s or Rainguard.
Spray or brush it onto the wood.
Read the directions on the label to find out how often the repellant needs to be reapplied.
The repellent will keep the borate inside the wood even when exposed to water., If borate isn’t enough, or you don’t want to strip the finish on the wood, extreme temperatures can help.
You will have to treat the wood in a kiln, heating chamber, or freezer.
The object would have to be heated for one and a half hours at 150℉ (66℃) or frozen at
-4℉ (-20℃) for a week.
Search your area for commercial treatment areas if you don’t have the space or tools to do it yourself.The wood must sealed in a bag before freezing to protect it from moisture.
Extreme temperatures can warp and otherwise damage wood. -
Step 3: Protect the wood from water.
-
Step 4: Seal the wood with a penetrating water repellant.
-
Step 5: Heat or freeze wood.
Detailed Guide
Find a borate chemical wherever pest control products are sold.
Look for Timbor, Boracare, or a similar product.
Follow the directions on their label for use.
Typically, these products are a powder that you must combine with an equal amount of water in a handheld sprayer.Borate works best in wood that won’t be exposed to water.
It is a chemical that is not a threat to your health, unlike gas fumigants.
Use the handheld sprayer or brush to apply the chemical.
Cover any sides of the wood you can reach.
This is difficult in homes, where most of the wood will be covered, so it’s best to apply borate when the house is framed.If your wood furniture has varnish, you’ll need to strip the varnish so the borate can soak into the wood.
Scrape off the varnish or apply a chemical stripper.
Any stains left by the borate should be wiped up with warm water before the finish is reapplied. , Water washes the borate off the wood.
To ensure it soaks in, cover the wood with a tarp.
Move furniture to a safe storage area.
Make sure there’s no dampness or leaks in the area., Get a product such as Thompson’s or Rainguard.
Spray or brush it onto the wood.
Read the directions on the label to find out how often the repellant needs to be reapplied.
The repellent will keep the borate inside the wood even when exposed to water., If borate isn’t enough, or you don’t want to strip the finish on the wood, extreme temperatures can help.
You will have to treat the wood in a kiln, heating chamber, or freezer.
The object would have to be heated for one and a half hours at 150℉ (66℃) or frozen at
-4℉ (-20℃) for a week.
Search your area for commercial treatment areas if you don’t have the space or tools to do it yourself.The wood must sealed in a bag before freezing to protect it from moisture.
Extreme temperatures can warp and otherwise damage wood.
About the Author
Sophia Harvey
Writer and educator with a focus on practical pet care knowledge.
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