Category: Termite & Wood Treatment
Last Major Revision: March 2026
Expert Review: Verified by The PCC Research Team
If you are treating raw wood in your California home to prevent Drywood termites, wood-boring beetles, or wet rot, you have likely narrowed your choices down to two professional products: Bora-Care and Tim-bor.
Here is the secret most DIYers don’t know: Both products are manufactured by the exact same company (Nisus Corporation) and use the exact same active ingredient (DOT – Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate). The difference—which dictates whether your treatment succeeds or fails—is entirely in the carrier fluid.
The 2026 Verdict: Penetration vs. Surface
Your choice depends on whether you are trying to kill a colony already living deep inside the wood, or simply dusting the surface to prevent a future attack.
Choose Bora-Care If:
You have an active termite infestation or are treating thick structural lumber (like 2x4s or 4x4s). The glycol base penetrates deep into the heart of the wood where the bugs are hiding.
Choose Tim-bor If:
You are doing preventative dusting in an attic, treating thin wood (like plywood or sheathing), or are on a strict budget. It is a highly economical water-based surface treatment.
Quick Navigation:
1. The Science: Why the “Carrier” Matters
Borates are naturally occurring mineral salts that are lethal to insects but have a toxicity level for humans roughly equivalent to table salt. They work by destroying the bacteria in a termite’s stomach, stripping its ability to digest wood, which ultimately starves the colony.
However, borate is a solid crystal. To get it into the wood, you have to dissolve it in a liquid “carrier.”
- Tim-bor’s Carrier is Water: When you mix Tim-bor powder with water and spray it on a 2×4, the water quickly evaporates. This leaves a white crust of borate crystals sitting right on the surface of the wood. It only penetrates about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. If termites are already chewing through the center of the beam, they won’t even know the Tim-bor is there.
- Bora-Care’s Carrier is Glycol: Glycol is a heavy, syrupy alcohol. It does not evaporate easily. Because wood is porous and naturally absorbs moisture, the glycol pulls the active borate ingredient deep into the core of the timber over several weeks. This transforms the entire piece of wood into poisoned bait.
The Repair Connection
If you are a contractor sistering new lumber onto an old joist due to damage, treating the new lumber with Bora-Care ensures the new wood is permanently immunized. See our full Termite Wood Damage Repair Guide for structural compliance steps.
2. Head-to-Head Specification Table
| Feature | Bora-Care (Liquid) | Tim-bor (Powder) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | 40% DOT (Disodium Octaborate) | 98% DOT (Disodium Octaborate) |
| Carrier / Base | Glycol (Heavy Alcohol) | Water (Evaporates) |
| Penetration Depth | Deep (Up to 4 inches into core) | Surface Level (1/8 to 1/4 inch) |
| Visual Residue | Dries clear | Leaves a noticeable white chalky crust |
| Application Method | Sprayed or brushed on | Sprayed, brushed, or injected as dry dust |
| Best Use Case | Killing active infestations inside wood | Preventative treatment / Dry dusting attics |
3. The Fatal Flaw: The “Painted Wood” Rule
The number one mistake DIYers make is buying a $100 jug of Bora-Care and spraying it on their painted baseboards or stained deck, expecting it to kill termites.
Critical Rule: Borate treatments cannot penetrate paint, stain, varnish, or water sealants. They must be applied directly to bare, raw wood. If the wood is painted, the liquid will simply run off onto the floor.
If you have an active Drywood termite infestation living inside painted interior walls or finished cabinets, Bora-Care will not work unless you strip the paint first. In these scenarios, professional Whole-House Fumigation (Tenting) is the only guaranteed way to eradicate the colony, as the gas easily penetrates painted surfaces.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is harder to mix?
A: Bora-Care is notoriously difficult to mix. Because it is a thick glycol syrup, you must use warm/hot water and an impeller mixer on a power drill to blend it properly. Tim-bor powder dissolves quite easily in room temperature water.
Q: Do either of these kill Subterranean termites?
A: No. While they will protect the specific piece of wood treated, subterranean termites live in the soil, not the wood. They will simply bypass the treated wood and find untreated wood elsewhere in the house. You need a soil-based liquid barrier for subterranean species.
Q: How long does a Bora-Care treatment last?
A: Forever. Because borates are mineral salts, they do not break down over time like chemical pesticides. As long as the wood is not exposed to running water (which can wash the salt out), a single treatment lasts the life of the wood.