Termites cause economically significant damage in Canada only in a few localized areas. However, one of those is in Canada’s largest city, Toronto, Ontario. In 1996, a test was set up of borate-treated lumber above ground, protected from rain but exposed to subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) in Kincardine Ontario. The material included western hemlock and amabilis fir lumber treated with borate and chromated copper arsenate (CCA). After 6 years exposure, the treated material was generally performing well, with some pieces showing residual signs of earlier superficial feeding or cosmetic damage. Performance of borate-treated and CCA-treated samples were equivalent. Attack was moderate on untreated controls.

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