PROTECTION AND

PRESERVATION OF BAMBOO

Florentino O. Tesoro
Consultant
Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Inc.
5-28/29-13

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 NATURAL DURABILITY OF BAMBOO
Natural durability – is the ability of the material to resist
biological agencies of deterioration
• Bamboo is susceptible to fungal and insect attack.
• Unprotected bamboo has a service life of 1 – 2 yrs
but depending on climatic and environmental
conditions it can last from 4 – 7 years
• Durability varies among species, age of culm, and
time of the year
• Those harvested during dry season are more prone
to insect attack, (have higher starch content)

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 COMMON PROBLEMS WITH BAMBOO

• Cracks along
internodes

• End splitting of
culms

• Fungal decay and

insect attack

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 BIOLOGICAL AGENTS OF DETERIORATION

Fungi
• Molds – feed on easily digestible food,
superficial, found on surface
• Stain fungi – feed on easily digestible
food, penetrates into the tissues, cannot
be planed off
• Decay fungi – capable of disintegrating
cell walls, greatly reduce mechanical
properties of the materials

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 BIOLOGICAL AGENTS OF DETERIORATION

Insects
• Powder post beetles – prefer materials with
large amounts of starch, damage caused by
larvae, powdery frass indicates its presence
(buk-bok)
• Termites – use cellulose components for food,
leading to disintegration of materials, earthen
tunnels indicate presence (anay)
• Marine borers – found in the sea, utilize cell
components of bamboo submerged in sea water

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 BIOLOGICAL AGENTS OF DETERIORATION

1. Fungi a. Molds

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BIOLOGICAL AGENTS OF DETERIORATION

b. Staining fungi

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BIOLOGICAL AGENTS OF DETERIORATION

c. Decay fungi

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2. Wood boring insects
a. Powder post beetles (Lyctus, bukbok)

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Ambrosia beetles

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 ENTRY POINTS

CUT ENDS

NODAL CUT BRANCHES

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2. Wood-boring insects
b. Termites b.1 Dry wood termites

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b. Termites
b.2 Subterranean termites

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 Termites at work

Culm deterioration by
termites

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c. Marine borers

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 SIGNS OF FUNGAL INFESTATION

Fungal Deterioration
Change in color
Change in texture
•Molds/Staining fungi
 Change in odor
 Reduction in
strength properties
•Staining fungi/decay

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated •Decay 16

 SIGNS OF INSECT ATTACK
Powdery excretion –
powder post beetles

Powder-post beetles

Earthen runways –
subterranean termites
•Subterranean

Pellets – dry wood termites •Drywood

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 REQUIREMENTS OF GROWTH &
DEVELOPMENT OF FUNGI & INSECTS
• Food - soluble materials (for nourishment of
fungi and insects
• Water or Moisture - essential for fungal
colonization and decay to occur (20% & above);
for insects – 10% & above
• Air (oxygen) - for microbial growth and
development; about 20% of ambient air is
optimal
• Temperature - grow best in warm and moist
conditions (28-32 degrees C)

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 PREVENTION AND CONTROL
A. Traditional and non-chemical methods

1. Soaking in Water

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 PREVENTION AND CONTROL

2. Smoking

3. Sun-, Air
/Kiln Drying

4. Biological control
 B. CHEMICAL METHODS

Application of Wood Preservatives

Deltamethrin

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 CLASSIFICATION OF TREATMENT
APPLICATIONS
Treatment Materials Purpose
 Prophylactic Fresh Provide temporary
protection against
fungal/insect attack
 Preventive Seasoned/ Prolong service
Conditioned life.
 Remedial/ Fresh/Dried/ To control existing
infestation.
Curative Conditioned

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

TREATMENT PROCESSES

Brushing

Sap replacement Diffusion

Spraying
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 DIPPING AND SOAKING

Trench Drum Concrete

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Pressure treatment method

High Pressure Sap Displacement

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25
 INSECTICIDES (FPA Registered)
Active Brand Dilution Rate Target Pests
ingredient Name (Cheml/Water)
1. Deltamethrin Woodtec  1:100  Termites &
D-methrin Powder-post
beetles
2. Permethrin Solignum
 RTU
 Termites & ppb


3. Permethrin+ Solignum AZ
 RTU
 Insects &
Propi+Tebu- Fungi
conazole
4. Fenvalerate Woodpro
 1:100
  Termites &
Powder-post
beetles

5. Imidacloprid  Dacrol Combi  1:100  Termites &

+ Triadimefon fungi
+Tebuconazole
 FUNGICIDES (FPA Registered)
Active Brand Dilution Target
ingredient Rate Pests
1. Propiconazole  Leadrite  1:50  Fungi

2. Carbendazim  Evotec  1:50 Fungi



+ prochloraz
3. Triadimefon +  Dacrol F  1:70  Fungi
tebuconazole
4. Triadimefon + tebuco-  Dacrol  1:100  Fungi &
nazole+imidacloprid Combi Termites

5. Propi-+Tebucona-  Solignu  RTU  Fungi, ppb &

zole+Permethrin m AZ termites

6. Disodium octaborate  Solubor  12.5%  Fungi

27
tetrahydrate (DOT)
 Prices of some preservatives

Preservative Price (PhP)

Propixonazole 2,400/L
Solignum az permethrin 1,200/gal
Dacrol (imidacrophid + propi) 4,000/L
DOT (disodium octaborate 300 -350/kg
tetrahydrate
Preventol 1,000/L
Coprazole 380/L
Woodtec deltam 2,500/L
Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated
 PREPARATION OF PRESERVATIVE SOLUTION
(Garcia et al, 2001)

• Read and understand the product label.

•As an SOP,wear protective gloves
Example: Vol. of chem’l
3. Mix the water
sol’n needed: 200L and + chemical
Dosage: 1 L Chemical: 1. Measure ¼ (50L) with a wood
of the req’d. vol.
100 L water of water & pour
• 2 L Chemical stirrer.
Volume of chemical into the
required: 2 L container. • 200
1/4 L cap
Water
Chemical
+

• 1/41/4Water
Water (50
+
4. Fill-up the
2. Pour the 2 L of li)
Chemical remaining
chemicals into volume (150 L).
the container. Stir.
 REMEDIAL TREATMENT

For finished products with Initial beetle attack

3. Monitor treated holes.

1. Inspect and mark
active beetle holes.
2. Inject the chemical into the
beetle hole using a syringe.
Repeat injection of
chem’l.
if powders are observed.

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 Hints on Safe Handling,
Preparation and Application of
Preservatives
Inhalation – thru breathing in,
•
1. Wear appropriate protective dust mist or vapor.
clothing, goggles, gloves, boots • Ingestion – thru mouth,
& helmet. stomach, blood stream

• Skin absorption- thru the skin

into the body (spec. if injured).

2. Do not drink/eat/smoke during or

after chemical application.

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• Spray along the direction of
the wind.

• Wash hands/feet or take

a shower.

• Store chemicals w/ proper label in a

storage room w/ a safety padlock.
• Dispose chemical solution
properly (dump pit) & chem’l
container following the triple
rinse technique.
 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: HEALTH
AND SAFETY

 Wear personal protective

equipment (PPE).

 Do not eat, drink or

smoke when handling
chemicals.

 Wash hands/feet or take

a shower.
 TRIPPLE RINSE TECHNIQUE

• Drain the concentrate from the container

into the spray tank for 30 seconds.
• Fill approximately ¼ of container volume
with water, replace the cap and rinse.
• Pour rinsate into the spray tank.
• Repeat this procedure 2 more times.

Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated

 HANDLING OF TREATED
MATERIALS
1. Dry under shed ff 2. Avoid exposure to
proper piling. direct sunlight .

3. Protect from rain or 4. Apply 2nd treatment

splashes of H2O. after processing.

6. Inspect materials &

5. Store in a well
products prior to
ventilated place.
delivery

7. Wrap w/ kraft paper 8. Dispose treated

during transport. waste properly.
THANK
Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Incorporated