FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A Field Applied Wood Treatment is an option during construction to treat construction framing with a natural wood preservative to protect against termites, wood-boring insects, and decay fungi. It's the same thing we do for historical building renovations, but not something that's typically offered during new construction. We're changing that.

Long story short: If you don't protect your wood framing, you'll get termites and you'll keep termites. Today, framing isn't protected in California like it is in other states. We 'sometimes' will dump pesticides into the soil - which only protects against one type of termite species - and not the one we deal with the most. And wouldn't you know it - California does more fumigations than the rest of the country combined (possibly propping up some businesses that depend on your house getting sick). Protecting your wood framing is smart building, especially when homes in California are seven to eight figure investments.

Well, here in California, we do more fumigations than the rest of the country combined. We're in a heavy termite zone, we just are. But... if you get your framing treated during construction, you can avoid termites, decay, fungi and more. This protects you from unexpected repairs, fumigations, unnecessary pesticide use, and more. And you could even get LEED credits or Green Building Program points for doing it.

Borates are applied to the structural framing during construction, and diffuse into the cells of the wood. When pests try to use the wood as a food source to grow their colonies, the borates disrupt pests’ ability to process food (the wood in your structure), causing starvation.

Yes! While insects cannot process borates, animals and humans can easily excrete boron, which is a naturally occurring mineral found in our handsoaps, laundry detergents, etc. They don’t emit VOCs and don’t leach unless exposed to water. Boron is a common micronutrient used to enhance soil in agriculture.

Skipping a Field Applied Wood Treatment during construction means relying on more invasive chemical intervention methods such as fumigations, soil-based pesticide dependency, and structural repairs when you do get an infestation. Without protection, your home is vulnerable to wood decay and termites, leading to costly damage -- and based on the numbers in California -- getting termites is a sure bet.

Field Applied Wood Treatments occur during the framing stage of construction, before insulation, windows, and doors are installed. The treatment for a single family home generally takes 1 day in the construction schedule, with a few call backs to treat additional detail as it’s added

1. Quote: We’ll send a quote based on square footage and plans

2. Subfloors: If there are raised foundations, we’ll treat them before the subfloor joists and footings are covered

3. Main Frame: We’ll need the jobsite to ourself to treat the entirety of the structural framing in 1 day

4. Touch Up: We’ll come back for additional detail that has been added throughout the build cycle

5. Warranty: We’ll send over our Limited Warranty

• Field Applied Wood Treatment with Borates: Long-term protection inside the wood. Green and safe.

• Soil Termiticides: Short-term, requires periodic reapplication. Potential environmental concerns.

• Physical Barriers or Stations: Effective but expensive and require precise installation and, sometimes, subscriptions.

• Fumigation: Treats existing infestations but doesn’t prevent new ones.

Yes! Field Applied Wood Treatments are recognized in the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) for wood protection. It’s also possible to get credits in Green Building Programs by NAHB or LEEDs. Sometimes they’re even required by HUD. Always check local requirements.

No, borates are non-corrosive.

Yes, but wood must be dry before applying finishes. A primer is recommended for best adhesion. p.s Don’t paint your eaves and fascia before your Field Applied Wood Treatment.

• Eliminates the need to pump pesticides into the ground.

• Increases building material lifecycle.

• Made from naturally occurring boron, safe for non-target animals and can be used as mulch at end of life.

• Eliminates the need to pump pesticides into the ground.

• Increases building material lifecycle.

• Made from naturally occurring boron, safe for non-target animals and can be used as mulch at end of life.

Yes! We offer a 15-year Limited Warranty Program that renews annually.