The label is the law. Rates and restrictions below are taken from the product labels listed under Sources. Your product's own label governs; read it before you mix or apply. Mixing calculator · Disclaimer
- Active ingredient
- Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (CAS 12280-03-4)
- Chemical class
- Inorganic borate salt; IRAC Group 8D miscellaneous nonspecific (multi-site) inhibitors: borates.[1][2]
- Mode of action
- IRAC Group 8D: Miscellaneous nonspecific (multi-site) inhibitors: borates[2]
- Signal word
- Bora-Care Termiticide, Insecticide and Fungicide Concentrate: Caution[1]
How long the treatment lasts
The label says treatment stays intact as long as the wood isn't exposed to rain, continuous water or direct ground contact. Wood touching soil has a limited lifespan and needs periodic retreatment.[1]
Insects that eat or infest treated wood contact the borate and die. Beetle larvae already inside may still emerge as adults afterward, but the label says reinfestation is prevented.[1]
Use with soil termiticides
Applied as a 1:1 mix, the label counts it as a primary pretreatment for subterranean termites in new construction. It can also back up a soil termiticide or bait system by protecting the wood itself.[1]
Where it is used
It only works on bare wood. Strip paint, stain or sealer first, because an intact water-repellent finish blocks the solution from soaking in.[1]
Wood exposed on only one or two sides, like sill plates on a foundation, gets two coats. Wait at least 20 minutes between coats.[1]
Keep treated exterior wood out of rain or snow for at least 48 hours. Then topcoat it with paint or exterior stain within 6 weeks.[1]
Don't spray it on soil, carpets or food-contact surfaces. Using it against bed bugs is prohibited.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bora-Care Termiticide, Insecticide and Fungicide Concentrate[1] | Nisus Corporation | 64405-1 | 40.0% | liquid concentrate | Caution |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bora-Care Termiticide, Insecticide and Fungicide Concentrate | Crawl spaces, basements, sill plates, framing, logs and other bare structural wood | Subterranean, Formosan and drywood termites; powderpost, anobiid and old house borer beetles; carpenter ants; brown and white rot fungi | 1 gallon diluted solution per 400 sq ft of surface[1] Mix 1 part water to 1 part Bora-Care for subterranean termites and most remedial work, and 5 parts water to 1 for prevention against drywood termites and beetles. Wood floors take a 2:1 mix at about 1 gallon per 500 sq ft. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word CAUTION: harmful if absorbed through skin. Handlers wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, shoes, protective eyewear and chemical-resistant gloves. Nobody occupies treated areas until the spray has soaked into the wood.[1]
Pets
Before spraying overhead inside a home, remove all pets, turn off fish aquarium pumps and cover the tanks. Cover surfaces below with plastic sheeting.[1]
Bees and pollinators
The label has no bee warning. It does warn the product may injure plants, so cover shrubs near exterior work.[1]
Fish and water
Toxic to fish and wildlife. Don't apply it directly to water or contaminate water when cleaning equipment.[1]
Common questions
- How do you mix Bora-Care?
- Dilute it with clean water by volume: 1:1 for subterranean termites and remedial treatment, and 5:1 for prevention. Use 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 mixes within 24 hours; a 5:1 mix keeps up to 30 days.[1]
- How much area does a gallon of Bora-Care cover?
- One gallon of diluted solution treats up to 400 square feet of surface, such as subfloor, joists and sill plates in a crawl space.[1]
- Can Bora-Care go on painted wood or decks?
- Only after the paint or finish is removed. Decks, sheds and fences need bare wood, then a water-resistant topcoat within 6 weeks.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Bora-Care Termiticide, Insecticide and Fungicide Concentrate label, EPA Reg. No. 64405-1 (EPA-stamped, Sept. 24, 2025).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/064405-00001-20250924.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Insecticide Resistance Action Committee, “IRAC Mode of Action Classification Scheme, Version 11.5 (Feb. 2026).” irac-online.org/documents/moa-classification/ (accessed 2026-10-06)