Spray beams before closing ceiling in basement?

We are in the process of re-doing our basement (brick builiding from 1930). We demo'ed everything and now all of our new frames have been setup.

My question is this. Since the house right next to us did have some termites at some point a few years ago (after their basement got flooded), should I go and hire someone to spray my ceiling beams before we close everything up with sheetrock? 90% of the new framing is metal, with 10% wood. Should I spray the wooden ones too?

If yes, what kind of potion should I make sure that the service I hire is using to spray.

All input is appreciated.

 

Why not do it yourself?
Timbor Kills Termites, Powderpost Beetles in Wood

I add a dash of food coloring so I can see where I've sprayed.

 

Yes; I like the tim-bor idea. I like the 15% solution and one treatment but 10% and 2 treats is fine as well. I also like to apply tim-bor powder in undiluted form, in other words simply the powder on top of the foundation wall in between the floor joists, as well as the sill plates between studs. This will work as an insecticide against termites and the other crawling bugs. Also works against fungus. I used the raw powder on our sills when we paneled basement walls and in our new pole barns paneled walls.

This does not substitute as a soil treatment for subterranean termites but is still a good thing to do as it will limit their infestation should they attack your house. Also, since you will hopefully never see that wood again, this is your only opportunity.

 

It looks like I will be treating my beams using Boracare, as it seems to be the right match for what is needed here as I am doing this as "preventative" action, as my neighbor did have a bit of a problem a while back

The problem is that I am in NY, and BoraCare is banned from being used by professionals. Meaning, I would have to do it myself.

What equipment will I need in order to properly apply it? Sure, I have seen the videos of how to mix it, and etc but I guess knowing which sprayer to get and I guess adding some food coloring will help to see what is sprayed and hasn't yet.

Another issue is that by now, the housings for the recessed lights and the BX wires are already installed in the ceiling, but the makers of Borocare assured me that getting some spray onto the metals should not do any harm.

Can someone please advise me what equipment I need to get and where do I look for it?

 

It amazes me that some states would not allow boracare and related products as it is nothing more than elemental boron. There are background levels of arsenic in it because where it comes from there is also naturally occurring arsenic. I suspect the arsenic is the reason. Very low levels, not worth worrying about.

I’ve never used dye either. You will be able to tell and the bora care spreads out anyway due to the glycols in it.

Any garden variety sprayer that can give you a fan spray will work. Make sure the hose and any filters are well cleaned prior to starting. Boracare is like a thick honey until you mix it. I suggest warm water when you mix. Also, it must be stirred, not shaken. Sounds like a martini. You will have to pump more often than when using simple emulsifiables.

I would wear a face shield rather than a respirator. The droplets do not “aerosolize”. There will be dripping and run-off so lay tarps on floor if that is an issue. If bare concrete I wouldn’t worry about it.