A Review of Boron Toxicity in Insects With an Emphasis on Termites

Managing urban pests with “environmentally-friendly” compounds has gained importance in recent years with the global deregistration of persistent organochlorine insecticides. Boron compounds, especially boric acid, zinc borate, and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, are considered excellent options for preserving lumber from insect attack as well as decay by fungi and bacteria. Remedial borate applications are used primarily to treat cockroach and flea infestations but have also achieved recent popularity as wood treatments to protect timber from colonization by subterranean termites. The goal of this review is to provide a synthesis of the research on the toxicity of boron in insects with a specific focus on termites and urban pests.