Manufactured by Nisus Corporation, Bora-Care is a borate salt-based treatment product that is designed to treat wood in order to protect against termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and decay fungi. Bora-Care can be mixed and sprayed on most unfinished or raw wood including plywood, particleboard, and wood structural components to protect against wood-destroying insects.

Bora-Care's active ingredient works by essentially manipulating the metabolic functions of target pests so that they are unable to pull nutrition from the food they consume (namely wood) and, as a result, they die from starvation.

Bora-Care can also be used to on surfaces such as concrete, block, brick, metals, and PVC plumbing pipes found in structures to prevent subterranean termites from forming tubes. It is ideal for preventative protection and carries a long-lasting residual, protecting treated wood against insect infestations for up to 30 years.

Tools Needed

To use Bora-Care, you will need a bucket to mix the product with a paddle mixer, and a means of applying the product such as a backpack sprayer or a pump sprayer. As a foam application, we recommend that you use a foaming applicator and foaming additive (ProFoam Foaming Concentrate). Refer to label for other application information. For DIY Home treatments, we recommend that you use a 1-gallon Solutions Pump-Sprayer.

How to Use

Step 1: To figure out how much Bora-Care you need, you will need to determine the size of the treatment area. Measure the linear feet of all exterior walls, interior walls and areas you wish to treat. Most commonly, homes use 2x4, 2x6 or 2x8 studs on their walls. 1 gallon of diluted Bora-Care will cover 600 lineal feet for 2x4 studs, 400 lineal feet for 2x6 and 308 lineal feet for 2x8. Linear feet is simply the length of the measurement (6 linear feet = 6 total feet).

To treat wood flooring, side panels and plywood you will need to measure the square footage by multiplying length x width. For example, 1 gallon of diluted Bora-Care will treat 1,600 square feet of 1/4 siding.

For preventative wood-destroying insect and fungi treatments, you will need to mix Bora-Care at a 5:1 ratio (5 gallons of water to 1 gallon of Bora-Care). For remedial treatments, mix Bora-Care at a 1:1 ratio (1 gallon of water to 1 gallon of Bora-Care).

Step 2: In a bucket of HOT water, pour in Bora-Care while at the same time using a paddle mixer on a power drill to mix the viscous liquid until it has the consistency of water. Once it has been thoroughly mixed, carefully pour the finished product into your sprayer. 

Step 3: You will want to spray the product evenly onto the exposed, unfinished wood. Apply Bora-Care until the surfaces are wet but not to the point of runoff. We recommend using a fan spray setting to get nice even coverage. In some cases, you will need to apply a second coat of Bora-Care after the 1st coat has dried (which should take 20 minutes of wait time according to the label) if the wood has only 1 or 2 exposed sides. Typically, you are going to want to spray 2 to 3 feet up the stud walls and along the baseboard as most wood-destroying insects invade from the ground up.

Step 4: For elements that will be exposed to rain and sunlight, wait at least 48 hours for Bora-Care to dry for painting, staining, or ceiling with a water-resistant product. All exposed wood needs to be sealed within 6 weeks for Bora-Care to remain effective.

Where to Use

Bora-Care can be used around Residential, Institutional and Commercial Structures including Homes, Apartments, Garages, Museums, Public and Private Institutions, Schools, Hotels, Hospitals, Kennels, Stables, Farm Buildings, Trucks, Trailers, Warehouses and Non-Food Areas of Supermarkets, Restaurants and Food Processing Plants. You can apply Bora-Care on raw, wooden elements such as fence posts, decks, and new wooden siding, furniture and wooden surfaces inside and outside to prevent or control termites, algae and fungi.

When To Use

Use Bora-Care when you are experiencing a termite infestation in your home and have found damaged wood. Bora-Care should be used supplementally as you should also address the subterranean termite infestation with a termiticide. Bora-Care can also be used as a preventative against labeled pests.

Safety Information

Bora-Care is safe to use when applied according to label directions. Be sure to use the proper PPE (gloves, protective eyewear, long sleeve clothing, and safety mask) before mixing and applying Bora-Care. Wear a respirator in areas that are not well ventilated, such as attics or crawl spaces.

Bora-Care is toxic to fish and wildlife; do not apply to water and prevent drift and runoff into water and sensitive areas. Bora-Care is also not labeled for use food processing plants, where food is prepared, or in serving areas. 

Special Considerations

Bora-Care should be mixed with hot water and in a bucket until it is thoroughly dispersed in the water. Bora-Care should never be mixed directly into the sprayer as the product is very thick and will clog the sprayer if it is not pre-mixed with hot water.

It is also important to thoroughly clean your sprayer after use as any leftover product in the sprayer will harden and crystallize as it cools, clogging and damaging the sprayer.