This invention relates to an aqueous-swellable and degradable diverting system and the use of the system in treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The diverting system comprises a carrier fluid and a partially dehydrated or anhydrous borate source material that does not swell or does not swell substantially when placed in contact with the carrier fluid. The carrier fluid is capable of carrying and placing the borate source material into a stimulation network substantially distanced from a wellbore. The carrier fluid may be a non-aqueous fluid, or when the average size of the borate source material is sufficient large, the carrier fluid may also be an aqueous fluid. Exposure of the diverting composition to sufficient amount of aqueous fluid swells the borate source material, bridges a desired portion of the stimulation network and then dissolves at least a portion of the diverting composition. The diverting techniques of the invention allow for treatment in a subterranean formation to be diverted to a previously untreated portion of the formation, in particular a portion of the formation that is significantly distanced from the wellbore.