While many people are living in the house they are not thinking that there can be a serious threat inside or under their house. This threat can lead to thousand dollars losses and is called termites.
The problem is that termites can start eating wooden materials and house owners will not notice that until termite presence becomes visible. In order to deal with termite problem there are many different ways but not all of them are environmentally friendly.
Furthermore, many house owners start worrying if termiticide which they choose is safe for them and their family. That becomes the main reason of their preferences to other, “green” options. And orange oil may be one of them.
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- What is orange oil and how does it work?
- What are orange oil advantages and disadvantages?
- How to choose the right orange oil?
- How to use orange oil?
- Is orange oil effective against termites?
- Useful articles
- Helpful video
- Final decision
What is orange oil and how does it work?
Orange oil is also known as D-limonene and is extracted from orange peels.
D-limonene can be found in many household cleaning products and is believed to be safer than any other termiticides which are traditionally used against termites.
Orange oil should not be mixed with orange juice because orange juice has water base and orange oil cannot be dissolved in water.
Orange oil is safe and has low toxicity, but still can cause some eyes or skin irritation; that is why it should be applied carefully. In addition to this, if you decide to apply orange oil to the painted surface, paint can fade.D-limonene kills termites. The point is that it dissolves their body, their bones. Furthermore, when termites start eating treated wood, they begin feeling lack of water what also leads to their death. It may take from several days to a week for the killing process.
What are orange oil advantages and disadvantages?
Like any other methods, orange oil termite treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages.
So, what are pros and cons of orange oil termite treatment? Orange oil is a “green” method against termites and has low toxicity. That sounds as a great thing because it is safe for humans and pets. Unlike any other anti-termite methods, orange oil does not need any advance measures.
That means that house owners do not have to move out of the house during the treatment period, they do not have to put food or clothes in bags, and there is no need to take out plants and pets.
Furthermore, orange oil can be easily found in the store and there is no need to have special knowledge or training to apply this termiticide.
Attention! Orange oil can help you to get rid only from Drywood termites.Learn more about drywood termites: signs of their activity; best methods of treatment: spot treatment and DIY methods; how to get rid of them in furniture?
The problem is that orange oil has many disadvantages as well.
First of all, it can be used only as a spot treatment. That means that you have to be sure that termite colony is small and is located in the limited area.
Furthermore, orange oil is to be applied in easy-to-be-reached areas; otherwise you will have to call professionals or destroy surfaces too much. In addition, orange oil for termites will not help you to destroy hidden colonies.
Moreover, orange oil can be flammable. That means that if you apply orange oil to the surface, the fire can start faster.
Like any other termiticides orange oil may cause health problems for those who have allergies to active components. Here it is D-limonene. So, if the person has breathing problems or allergies to oranges, it is better not to use the oil.
The biggest disadvantage of orange oil is its effectiveness. In order to make orange oil treatment effective you have to use this method together with other treatment ways. Orange oil will not help you as a single remedy. Furthermore, orange oil will not protect your property from future infestations.How to choose the right orange oil?
When you are choosing orange oil in the store, you have to realize how exactly you are going to apply the oil and how huge the infestation is. There are different termiticides which contain orange oil (D-limonene) and concentration of this ingredient influences termiticide effectiveness.
Of course, the higher the concentration is, the more effective the remedy is. Next, you have to find out, how you are going to apply the remedy: whether it is a spot treatment, or you are going to make a spraying solution.
Again, here everything depends on the size of the colony and where the nest is located. There are also different orange oil termite control which are cheaper than the rest of them. In these solutions orange oil concentration is low and can be applied with a mop. These remedies are used for minimal infestations.
Here you can learn more information about effective termite control remedies: Bora-Care, Boric acid, Borate, Fipronil, Chlorpyrifos, Chlordane, Borax, Timbor, Termidor, Terminator, Phantom, Lorsban, Biflex, Terro. You can choose different forms, such as – foam, liquid, powder.
How to use orange oil?
If you still feel that you need to apply orange oil and this is the best option for you, you will need to learn how you can actually use it.
How to apply orange oil for termites?
One is the most popular ways of orange oil usage is a spot treatment.When you find termite presence, you will need to drill small holes in the surface (you can use a drill for this purpose) and inject the oil into the holes.
Wooden surface gets treated with oil and when termites get into the contact with this wood, they die.
You can also apply orange wood to the wooden surface. Here you will need the oil and a brush. The brush will help you to apply the oil to the surface and will make the process easier and faster. You will just have to remember that if the surface is painted, the paint can fade or can be damaged.
As another option, you can make a spraying solution. This method can be useful when you need to cover big surface with the oil. You should remember that this solution is to be applied every spring in different unprotected areas such as attics, stairs, etc.
As far as orange oil can cause skin or eye irritation, do not forget to wear special respiratory mask, glasses, gloves and other clothes which can protect your body.Here you can learn more information about termite bait systems: Advance, Green, CSIRO, Nemesis, Exterra, Firstline, Terminate. Also find out how to make baits by yourself and how to refill them?
Is orange oil effective against termites?
There are many different researches which are trying to find the answer if orange oil is actually effective. The problem is that the answer to that question is no. The experience shows that orange oil cannot eliminate the whole termite colony; that is why it should be used with any other termiticide.
Orange oil treatment for termites: does it work? Of course, orange oil kills some termites and can even kill their eggs (if the oil reaches the nest), but the rest of the colony stays alive and after some time it reaches the same size as before the treatment. In addition, you have to be sure that you have identified the type of termites in a correct way because orange oil can help you only against Drywood termites.
In addition, orange oil does not have long-lasting protection period. That means that it cannot be used as a protective measure against termites and you will have to inspect areas and repeat the treatment all over again and spend more time and money.
Here you can learn more information about effective treatment method called tenting (fumigation): dangers for termites, preparing for fumigation and cleaning after, how long does this procedure last?
Useful articles
If you interested in more information of termites we recommend you to read the following articles:
- All types of termites. Are they harmful to humans? Can they bite you? And what is the difference between drywood and subterranean ones?
- What does swarmers of different species look like: drywood, subterranean, formosan?
- Signs of infestation outside and in the house: in walls or furniture.
- How to treat them at home and in the yard: in wood or in fence. How long this process lasts and what is pre-construction and soil treatment?
- What does termite holes look like? What is droppings and is it toxic to humans? Do termites make noises?
- Posible termite damage, how does it look like? Examples of damage in walls and wood floors.
- All about flying termites: how do they look like, swarming season and what to do if there are swarmers in your house?
- How do they do nests and mounds? How to find it in your garden or inside the house?
- Termite life cycle – from egg to larvae. And social hierarchy: workers, soldiers, queen.
- Did you know that termites can infest living trees, for example a palm or a pine tree. They also like to live in stumps.
- You can prevent the infestation by using barriers, such as: HomeGuard, Physical systems, Safeguard, Stainless steel mesh, Kordon.
- If you want to get rid of termites naturally, learn more about such methods as: heat or cold treatment, using nematodes.
Helpful video
How XT2000 Orange Oil Plus Kills Drywood Termites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2cotDJEDTw
Final decision
Orange oil is a “green” method and can be preferably chosen by house owners who care about health of their family and pets because orange oil has low toxicity. That means that if you decide to apply orange oil, you will not have to worry about moving out of the house, putting clothes and food in bags, etc.
This is all because all these measures are unneeded.
On the other hand, orange oil cannot be used as a single remedy because of its low effectiveness.
You will have to be sure that the termite colony you are going to fight with is very small because orange oil should be used as a spot treatment.
Furthermore, orange oil does not give any warranties that the whole termite colony is eliminated and termites will not come back.
Modern market is full of many other DIY remedies which can be used against termites. They can be also safe but much more effective than orange oil.
If you feel that termite infestation is huge or you are not sure that you can deal with this problem by yourself, you can always call a professional pest control service which will give you an advice and will help to find the best remedy against termites.
