Boric acid on metal?

[supermerle]

I have put up a new coast to coast metal bldg. and was wondering will boric acid rust, harm, or weaken in any way the galvanized support structure or wood framing if I line the perimeter with the boric acid for pest control? The sheeting is a painted metal but thin gaged. I've had good success in the past doing this for pest control but it was in a wood structure and not a metal building.

 

[Rust]

Boric acid? havent touched it since the 70's...
My insane 80 year old italian father swears by used motor oil...lol

 

[Steevo]

I don't know about its effect on galvanized steel, but boric acid is one of the few substances that will fully kill the roots of mold spores in wood. Chlorine bleach will kill the "flowers" or the part on the surface, but boric acid, dissolved in water and allowed to soak into moldy wood will actually kill the spores, rather than just temporarily send them into dormancy until they get damp again.

 

[olytdi]

From what I read on a quick web search, boric acid is used to remove rust and is "weak" at that task. It should be safe for wood as it is used on that routinely. If the metal is galvenized, I would think a week acid would be okay.

To be really sure, I'd take some weak steel and bath it in some boric acid solution (strong and direct contact) and observe it over a few weeks. You should begin to get an idea of what it might do in a weaker state to stronger, more resistant steel over time.

 

[rlitman]

Boric acid is applied as a dust for pest control. So long as it doesn't get wet, it can't cause corrosion. If the metal is getting wet on the inside, you have other issues anyway.

 

[coolreed]

Different Acids react differently on different metals.

 

[littlebritishcar]

Funny how many things Boric Acid is used for. I used to own a furniture manufacturing company and we used Boric Acid to make the cotton in our mattresses and upholstery fire resistant. Interesting read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid

 

[kawookie64]

I think boric acid will reacte with the galvanized metal if water/high humidity is involved. Diatemacious earth might be a good alternative,its cheap and won't react at all and is supposed to be great for pest control. Hope that helped