Orange Oil for Termite Control

First of all, I highly recommend hiring a trained and licensed inspector to determine the extent of your termite infestations. The type of termite and their location will determine what type of treatment would be effective for your home. Orange Oil or (D-limonene) based termite and pest control products are not considered an alternative to tenting as the two processes are completely different and offer different pros and cons. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages will help you make an educated decision when selecting your control method.

If you’re considering orange oil termite control make sure you find a qualified termite company that offers traditional treatments and fumigation as well. This way you will get an unbiased opinion regarding your specific termite control needs. No infestation is the same and no single treatment method can handle every type of termite infestation.

Orange oil products contain the active ingredient d−limonene. 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.

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. Orange oil is effective for drywood termites, not subterranean termite infestations.

Orange oil termite control is an effective method of treatment but don’t believe that traditional treatments and fumigation are no longer valid options that should be discarded. Only tent fumigation can guarantee complete drywood termite eradication of an entire structure at once. Here’s why, 90−95% of a buildings wood framing is covered by drywall, plaster, flooring, insulation, paint, roofing, stucco and so on. Localized treatment with orange oil will only control the infestation in the areas where an infestation can be identified and treated. Termites spread by swarming (flying) and can land in the most secluded places in a structure to begin a new infestation; if you can't get to that area for a thorough inspection then you will have no knowledge of the need for treatment in that area either. So the question comes back, does every house need to be fumigated? The answer is "no". It depends on the areas of infestation, level of infestations, size and age of the colonies, type of termites you have, and whether or not your going to be satisfied with the idea of controlling your home or structures termite infestations or you want them completely eradicated from the structure all at once.

Advantages of Orange Oil Termite Control:
No moving out overnight during the treatment.
No need to remove plants or board pets.
No bagging of food or medicine.
No walking on the roof.

Disadvantages of Orange Oil Termite Control:
Orange oil will not control undetected infestations.
Large treatments with orange oil could cost more than fumigation.
Orange oil does not leave a long lasting residual for future protection.
Orange oil requires drilling into your walls and wood members.


−Ken Holmes