Ads
and marketing campaigns from large companies tout orange oil as a “green”,
“organic” or “safe” alternative against termites. But is it truly effective
against termites or just another marketing ploy? Is orange oil truly a green
and organic product that is safer than others? How does it compare to other
treatments and is it reliable?

Is Orange Oil Organic, Green & Safe? d-Limonene is extracted from the skin of various citrus fruit
(oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc.) generally used for oils, enhancers and extracts and
most likely from non-organic produce due to lower cost. Unless it is made
exclusively from organic produce, orange oil would not qualify for the
“Organic” label we expect on our local fruit stands. As a rind bi-product,
d-Limonene would seem like a green and safe product. However orange oil is
highly acidic and can cause skin and eye irriation and damage, it is flammable and
should be use cautiously, and its vapors can cause respiratory problems. The
MSDS for d-Limonene requires use of protective gear including goggles and oil
compatible nitril gloves, clothing and a breathing mask suited for oil fumes to
prevent skin, eye and respiratory injury. Orange oil is a powerful acidic
product that should not be used on plastics, painted or laquered surfaces
including hardwood floors, painted trim and baseboards, vinyl surfaces,
wallpapers and cloth wall or floor coverings to prevent damage. It is not
advised to use orange oil on crops unless diluted as the acidity of d-Limonene
may damage plants.
Orange Oil and Termites – Separating Facts
From Fiction: In
early 2000 d-Limonene was once again revived and heavily marketed with the
backing of Florida University researchers and big financial investors under a
new exclusive name. Ads showing children drinking orange juice suggest that
orange oil is as natural and safe as eating oranges. But orange juice is not to
be confused with orange oil, which is acidic and a strong skin and eye irritant
against pets and humans. These ads try to attract as many customers as possible and do not
mention that orange oil is not effective against all types of termites and that
the best results from research show limited effectiveness against drywood
termites, the target pest of orange oil treatments.
Orange Oil and Termite Treatments: Lab test and results from
UC Berkeley, Davis and Riverside's Entomology Departments show that d-Limonene
has a short life of only a few days after application. It lacks the required
residual effect to effectively kill and prevent whole drywood termite colonies
from surviving the treatment and re-infesting the treated wood members. Unlike
other chemical treatment against Drywood Termites, it is critical that orange
oil reaches each and every termite in the colony or the colony may survive. Unfortunately no current technology can tell if all termites have been
killed at time of treatment, so most companies treating with orange oil also
recommend using another residual termiticide such as Tim-Bor, Bora-Care or
Termidor to leave a long term residual effect that orange oil does not provide.
LocalTreatment |
Percent DeathAfter 3 Months |
Smell/Odor
Sent/Vapor
|
Type of Insecticide
|
Transfer Effect Between
Termites
|
Residual Effect After
Treatment
|
Termidor-SC (Fipronil)
|
100%
|
None
|
Non-Repellent
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
BoraCare/TimBor (Sodium Borate)
|
98-99%
|
None
|
Non-Repellent
|
No
|
Yes
|
Optigard-ZT (Thiametoxam)
|
81%
|
Yes
|
Non-Repellent
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
XT-2000 (d-Limonene)
|
81%
|
Yes
|
Contact/Repellent
|
No
|
No
|
Premise 75 (Imidacloprid)
|
41%
|
None
|
Non-Repellent
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Untreated
|
3%
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
No
|
N/A
|
SOURCE: Dr. Vernard Lewis, UC Berkeley & Dr.
Michael Rust, UC Riverside – 2009
Orange Oil vs. Fumigation:
After some companies claimed that
orange oil treatments were similar or better than fumigation treatments, the
California Structural Pest Control Board reminded pest management professionals
not to confuse and misinform customers: “orange oil is another localized
treatment tool…against the elusive drywood termite. It is not an alternative to
all-encompassing methods of treatment” such as fumigations. Like Termidor,
BoraCare and Tim-Bor, orange oil treatment entails injection or surface
treatment of wood members. Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation is best for complete
eradication of large infestations or to inaccessible areas where a local
treatment is not feasible. Fumigation has been extensively researched and
effectively used for decades with strict procedures and specific control safety
measures reviewed and supervised by Structural Pest Control Board, EPA and
Department of Pesticide Regulation. Every year, thousands of residential and
commercial structures, freight railroad cars and trucks, food silo and storage
depots are fumigated under strict supervision against termites, beetles,
rodents and other food born pests. Fumigation is always considered a last
result option and may be the only solution for large and widespread
infestations where local treatments are not technically or financial feasible.We will discuss the pros and cons, advantages and inconveniences or fumigation in our next blog.
Orange Oil vs.
Other Termiticides: Like other plant pyrethrums or pyrethroids, orange
oil is a contact insecticide. The effectiveness and smell last only a few days
and has no residual effect to kill or prevent termite re-infestation like
TimBor. Orange oil does not have a transfer effect between termites like
Termidor-SC or Altriset (non-repellent), and the scent of orange oil can be
detected by termites who will avoid it. Given analysis and results, we recommend
treatment with Termidor, BoraCare or TimBor for a more effective and lasting
treatment, even when using orange oil as an insecticide.
Orange
Oil & Health Hazards: Orange Oil can stain wall coverings and hardwood
flooring and should be applied carefully. The volatile citrus oil is a
repellent to many pets and can cause some humans and pets to experience
allergies and breathing difficulties to asthmatics and citrus allergic subjects
with Pantothenic Acid (or Vitamin B-5) deficiency. Though it is the product of
citrus peels that may seems less toxic, 92% d-Limonene (orange oil) is a very
acidic product that can cause severe skin and eye damage and it is still not
approved as a retail pesticide, even after more than 10 years of
research from the IPCS and EPA. Chemical treatments with orange oil require protective gear to prevent injury and should not be used without
precaution. Diluted orange oil types of pesticides for
gardening are available as mild repellents. In doubt, consult your doctor
before treatment, tell your pest operator of allergies you may have to avoid
reactions, always follow the label direction and always wear protective gear.
Conclusion: In spite of its ”green and
eco-friendly" marketing appeal, orange oil is not as effective or long
lasting against drywood termites as other termiticides like TimBor, BoraCare and Termidor-SC. Depending on the accessibility and size of the infestation, we apply local treatments using one or
several reliable termiticides to combat and eradicate Drywood Termite
infestations.
For more information from
one of our Licensed Inspectors or to have your home inspected call us at (415) 456-9620