As a pioneer in wood protection and borate research Terry Amburgey, a lifetime member of the IRG, had many projects where borates were used in subsequently commercially very successful applications. This paper is one of the initial research projects that lead to polyglycol borates being used as a standalone treatment to protect against termites in new homes which has now been well proven over the test of time. It is written largely as he left it and with a few additional references, in order to provide this data to a wider scientific audience. Two field test designs were used to evaluate the efficacy of polyglycol borate solutions to native subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.) on simulated floor joist and wall stud test units in 3 different field test sites. Results of 10-yr. field tests for these building components and the untreated wood exposed above them are presented. It is not surprising that the treated wood was protected from termite attack. However, despite large populations of termites being present in the soil beneath the test units, no shelter tubes were constructed across polyglycol borate units to reach the untreated wood samples exposed above them.

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