I’ve run into that with old oak beams—borate just doesn’t seem to soak in much. I tried drilling a few small holes and injecting it, but honestly, it’s a pain. Oils look great, but yeah, bugs are a nightmare. Sometimes I just end up using both, even if it’s overkill.

I tried drilling a few small holes and injecting it, but honestly, it’s a pain.

Yeah, I hear you—drilling into old beams is just not my idea of a good time. I’ve tried the “both” approach too, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just throwing money at the problem. Oils look great for about a year, then the bugs seem to find their way back anyway... Maybe there’s no perfect solution unless you want to break the bank?

Oils look great for about a year, then the bugs seem to find their way back anyway... Maybe there’s no perfect solution unless you want to break the bank?

That’s been my experience too. I remember the first time I tried one of those “miracle” borate treatments—spent a small fortune, followed every step, and it still felt like a losing battle after a couple seasons. The beams looked gorgeous for a while, but the little piles of dust came back like clockwork.

One thing that helped (at least for a few years) was having a pro come in and do a fumigation tent. It wasn’t cheap, but it bought us some peace of mind and let us enjoy the exposed wood without worrying every time we saw a beetle. Not saying it’s the answer for everyone, but if you’re already feeling like you’re “throwing money at the problem,” sometimes it’s worth just doing it right once and being done with it for a while.

I still use oils for touch-ups, mostly for aesthetics now. But yeah, I get the frustration—sometimes it feels like old houses just want to keep their secrets (and their bugs).

Title: Fumigation Isn’t Always the Only Way

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with borate treatments—though I’ll admit, it’s all about timing and prep. If the wood’s sealed up too soon or there’s moisture hiding somewhere, the bugs just keep coming back. Fumigation does work, but I’ve seen folks skip it and still win the battle by really dialing in ventilation and moisture control. Sometimes it’s less about the chemicals and more about keeping things dry and sealed. Just my two cents... every house seems to have its own quirks.

Totally agree—fumigation isn’t always the answer, especially if you’re watching your wallet. What’s worked for me: 1) Find the source of moisture and fix it, even if it’s just a leaky pipe or bad caulking. 2) Use borate or another treatment, but only after the area’s bone dry. 3) Keep an eye on ventilation—sometimes just adding a vent or running a fan makes a huge difference. I skipped fumigation last year and haven’t seen a single bug since. It’s not always quick, but it saves a ton if you’re patient.