Insecticidal composition

Abstract

It was discovered that the chemical compositions, comprising ammoniumpentaborate and alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal: sulfates, -sulfites and/or -hydrophosphates are excellent pesticides against wood decaying insects and fungi. The compositions of matter are also useful as fire retardants and anti-smoldering agents in textiles, wood materials and synthetic polymers. Mixtures of bariumtriborate and these barium salts (SO.sub.3, SO.sub.4, and/or HPO.sub.4) are useful as fire retardants in cellulose materials, paints, adhesives and synthetic polymers. The barium- and calcium-triborate compositions also act as pesticides and are useful in wood preservation against wood boring insects and wood decaying fungi. Ammoniumpentaborate (NH.sub.4.B.sub.5 O.sub.8.4 H.sub.2 O), ammoniumtetraborate [(NH.sub.4).sub.2.B.sub.4 O.sub.7.4 H.sub.2 O] and disodiumoctaborate (Na.sub.2 B.sub.8 O.sub.13.4 H.sub.2 O) undergo reaction in water solution with barium and calcium salts providing bariumtriborate and calciumtriborate, respectively.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.