Copper naphthenate is a copper carboxylate made with naphthenic acid. Naphthenic acids are by-products of petroleum.
Copper naphthenate is not registered as a pesticide. It exhibits a wide range of efficacy toward most decay fungi, termites, and many other wood destroying insects. It is a general-use wood preservative. It is also used as a textile preservative. It has been used safely in greenhouse applications. It is recommended for the treatment of beehives, by which it has not harmed bees or significantly affected the quality of honey produced. Copper naphthenate is approved as an over the counter topical treatment for treating horses and ponies for thrush at concentrations of 37.5%. Livestock exposed to copper naphthenate-treated shelters and water troughs exhibited no adverse health effects.
