Voted Best Answer
Jun 03, 2013 - 09:31 PM
If the wood is exposed, such as beams, joists, under side of flooring, etc, then Bora Care is just about the only option. Spray all exposed flooring to the point of run-off. Here is a post on this subject that I made some time ago -
Depending on where the powder post beetles are located and how much of the wood surface needs to be treated, anything you treat or spray the wood with could have a very limited affect.
Here is why - powder post beetles go through a complete life cycle - egg, larvae, pupae and adult. The larvae (worms) do most of the damage internally to the wood. During mating and reproductive seasons, the adults bore their way out of the wood and make a small pencil size hole called an "exit hole". When they exit the wood they also leave a streaming trail of "frass" or sawdust that can look like flour or sawdust depending on the species of beetle.
Getting the chemical that you are applying deep enough into the wood to kill the "larvae" is usually the problem. This is because most of the wood that you are concerned about will be either stained or painted. The chemicals you need to apply will not penetrate through stain or paint, so they will never reach the larvae.
This is why most of the time, for powder post beetles, either replacing the wood with new wood and then repainting, staining etc, or a fumigation of the wood (a lethal gas that penetrates the wood) is recommended. A fumigation with a product such as VIKANE is restricted for sale and can only be used by a licensed fumigator.
I would recommend that you visit our section on powder post beetles, here is the link - http://www.epestsupply.com/powder-pos...
As far as the best product, Bora Care is usually the best, as it will kill the beetles and protect the wood permanently. Bora Care contains glycol which helps it to penetrate the wood better, but again, it will not penetrate stain or paint. If you want to apply Bora Care to finished wood, then you will have to sand and completely remove the finish down to bare wood. You then apply the Bora Care, let it dry and then refinish the wood.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Ron
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