Borates have long been used as a low-toxicity alternative to highly volatile, synthetic chemical pesticides. The pesticide qualities of borates have been used for at least 300 years. To stop decay or insects, builders and homeowners can apply borates to existing wood. Borates go directly on the wood and not into the soil. Borates kill termites and other wood-eating insects by poisoning the microogranisms in the insects’ digestive tracts that are needed to break down the wood’s cellulose. In other words, the termites starve to death.
