ORANGE OIL: OTHER TERMITES EXTERMINATION OPTIONS TO CONSIDER ?

What is orange oil ?


Orange oil products feature d-limonene, which is known as a high-functioning (but not too toxic) killer of termites. D−limonene is extracted from the rinds of oranges, and it’s the same chemical found in many household products. Due to d−limonene’s low toxicity, it has become increasingly popular and the preferred termite control method for many home owners and industries. Orange oil is also used in the manufacturing of resins, cleaning compounds, and as a fragrance additive in many products. Traditionally, orange oil has been used in aromatherapy and in the preparation of exotic perfumes. It is also used in the preparation of many traditional cuisines.

Orange oil is often described as an organic, green and biodegradable termite-control measure. Since it has negligible poisonous compounds associated with chemical pesticides, it doesn't create the problem of leaving toxic residues in the house.

Is orange oil effective ?


Dr. Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, an entomologist working at the University of Florida was commissioned to conduct an efficacy study to discover the true effectiveness of XT-2000 (Orange Oil Termiticide) He found that termites "treated with 92% d-limonene yielded mortalities ranging from 47-100% with a total mean mortality of 97.4%"

The effectiveness of orange oil as a termite-killer has certain limitations. An orange oil treatment for termites is localized spot application of each identified termite infestation and will only kill termites in the areas treated. Treatment with orange oil requires drilling into the infested wood members and injecting the product into the termite galleries. It is not ideally suited to handle, large-scale, invasive termite infestations. Yes, if the termite infestation is limited to a certain part of the house, it can be treated with orange oil. If the infestation has spread across a major portion of the house and it is deep-seated among the wooden structures, using orange oil may not be the best idea.

Unpublished research has determined that injecting d-limonene oil into termite galleries can kill dry wood termites. The problem with this method is, drill and injection is a random, localized treatment and not whole structure. The limitations would include the many "inaccessible areas" common in most structures and detection. The problems with localized chemical treatments are the detection and treatment of individual colonies. If colonies are not detected or inaccessible, they will not be killed by injecting chemicals.

Orange oil will kill termites on contact only effective for Drywood not for all termites . It has very little residual effect (< 24 hours). It can lose it's effectiveness over time and need reapplication. It also absorbs in all directions improving the chances of the needed connection. It emits volatile organic compounds which are bad to breathe and harmful to the environment.


Conclusion

Orange oil is not a new all encompassing magic solution to control pests, including termites. It has its own limitation. Because orange oil only works on the principle of contact killing it does not kill all termites on your property. With orange oil you won't get 100% assurance that all of the drywood termites in the home are eliminated.