Is 72-Hour Borax Acid Soaking Effective Against Powderpost Beetles?

Jason Parlucha; Mark Jun ROJO; Lowell Aribal; Hazel Eyana

doi:10.52751/55mxc409

Authors

Jason A. Parlucha Wood Science & Technology Dept, College of Forestry and Environmental Science, Central Mindanao University Author
Mark Jun A. Rojo Wood Science & Technology Dept, College of Forestry and Environmental Science, Central Mindanao University Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3077-7991
Lowell G. Ariba Forest Biological Science Department, College of Forestry and Environmental Science, Central Mindanao University Author
Hazel Eyana Research Assistant, College of Forestry and Environmental Science, Central Mindanao University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52751/55mxc409

Keywords:

Laminated Bamboo, Bamboo Pest, Bamboo Preservative

Abstract

The researchers conducted a durability test to evaluate the efficacy of the prophylactic treatment practiced by the local bamboo industry in Northern Mindanao in producing laminated bamboo from two commercially important species: Dendrocalamus asper Backer ex K. Heyne and Bambusa blumeana Schult.f, against Powderpost beetles (PPB) (Dinoderus minutus Fabricius). Local manufacturers used prophylactic treatment on bamboo slats consisting of 6.67% boric acid and 4.44% borax and soaking the bamboo in the solution for 72 hours. After treatment and lamination, samples measuring 15 mm × 20 mm × 60 mm were then placed in the rearing chamber of PPB to serve as substrate and were observed for nine months. Beetle holes were subsequently counted to assess the durability of the laminated bamboo. The results showed that the current prophylactic treatment did not effectively reduce the beetle infestation in laminated bamboo. Panels made from both D. asper and B. blumeana, regardless of whether derived from the bottom or middle culm sections, were found to be not durable.

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