rid old barn wood of bugs

by Cynthia Kulak
(Cary, NC USA)

I have acquired some barn wood locally but it has been in a pile in the woods. I have sprinkled Board Defense a termite, insecticide and fungicide concentrate on the boards and have left them in my garage. I want to use them on a wall in my boys mancave on top of the drywall.

My husband has some concern that the boards need to be sanded and sealed with a polyeurathane in order to make sure that there are no bugs, however that defeats the look that I want. I want it to remain in as much of the original state as possible. What is your recommendation?

Thank you for any help,

Cynthia
Interior Designer

Comments for rid old barn wood of bugs

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Aug 25, 2014

de bugged
by: Aaron

Sanding and staining will have no effect on any bugs that may be in the wood.

Zero.

It would however certainly ruin the look you are going for.

The best thing you can do is sticker the wood by placing 1x1 sticks between the layers to allow air movement. Make sure that it is dry before you install it.

Even better, find a local kiln to dry the wood for you, ask if there kiln gets hot enough to kill off the bugs.

Warning, grey color can fade a bit to a more dark brown color during drying if the wood had previously been saturated.

There are products available that will renew the grey color if this happens. I use this.

http://www.amazon.com/Vahalla-Wood-Preservatives-1-Gallon-Treatment/dp/B008Y0N6U4/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_y

Sep 05, 2014

curing the bugs
by: cowboy

if the wood is in small enough pieces you can freeze it.

Sep 05, 2014

Borate
by: Mike

Pick up some Borate at your local hardware store or online and follow directions on the container. Borate is safe for humans and pets but deadly on wood boring insects. Also it will not effect the finish if applied properly.

Sep 05, 2014

less expensive option for detering termites
by: Linda

I have read on online and watched utube demonstations suggesting you can treat lumber to prevent/deter termites with borax...as in 20 mule team. Can't recall it being the exact substance as borate, but works and is cheaper. You mix the borax with warm water and paint it on the wood, 2 to 3 times.

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