What chemicals are used to treat rot resistant bamboo poles?

[mat_m]

Hi, could you please let me know what chemicals are used to treat the 'rot resistant' bamboo poles?

Thanks

[Jason]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @mat_m. We're pleased to have you join us. 

Can you please provide a link to the product you are looking at so our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts can chase up this enquiry for you. 

Many thanks,

Jason

[mat_m]

https://www.bunnings.com.au/lattice-makers-80-x-1800mm-black-bamboo-pole_p3041186

Cheers

[EricL]

Hello @mat_m 

Thank you for providing that link to the Lattice Makers 80 x 1800mm Black Bamboo Pole. Please allow us to contact our supplier in regards to your query. As soon as we have more information, we'll get back to you.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

[MitchellMc]

Hi @mat_m ,

Many thanks for your patience. 

The poles have had Permethrin sprayed on them to prevent insect attacks. That's the same chemical used in some household fly sprays. Apart from that, they haven't had any other treatments applied for rot resistance. Our team will be correcting the product description to reflect that.

Mitchell

[mat_m]

Hi Mitchell, thanks for the update and I appreciate your acknowledgment that an update may be necessary.

However, I now need some clarification;

I initially intended to use the bamboo poles for (tree) frog homes, so whilst waiting for your reply I also reviewed the suppliers website information.

Lattice Makers website claims all their bamboo poles are treated with the same Borax and Boric Acid treatments:

   "All poles are soaked for 5 days in a combination of boric acid and borax. This is done to kill insects and combat mould.

Boric acid is a white or clear-coloured, odourless compound. It is a mild acid which is relatively non-toxic to humans and non-carcinogenic. It has a wide variety of uses in and around the home. It also is used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, in pest control and in manufacturing.

Borax, also called “sodium tetraborate”, is a powdery white mineral that has been used as a cleaning product for several decades. It has many uses: it helps get rid of stains, mould, mildew and insects."

There is no mention of Permethrin.

Are your Lattice Makers bamboo poles that I linked different to the LatticeMakers website poles?Their website shows an availability from Bunnings.

https://latticemakers.com/product-category/bamboo-support/poles/

I think safe to say, for now at least, I wont be using the bunnings bamboo poles for frog homes. However before you update your website specifications, some clarification might need to be made. I'm not sure whos info to believe now.

Kind regards,

 Mat

[MitchellMc]

Hi @mat_m,

Permethrin is likely what is being applied when they undergo "strict fumigation" on importation. They are the same company, and I have provided feedback to them regarding the Borax soak and that it is not only the Permethrin, as previously mentioned. I note that Borax can be dangerous to frogs. I would suggest that it is wise not to use the poles for your project. Perhaps you might like to check out this guide instead: How to build a frog hotel.

Many thanks for the feedback.

Mitchell