Your home is your sanctuary— until you discover some unwelcome guests munching away at the foundation! When termites invade, they can leave behind a trail of destruction and a hefty bill to pay.
Traditional termite treatments are always the best option for an infestation, but many homeowners often try to find supplemental treatments to better complement their pest control efforts. Enter orange oil termite treatments, a natural alternative that supposedly prevents the pests from invading.
But does this citrus-scented solution live up to the hype?
In this blog, we’ll examine this DIY treatment to determine whether it’s a worthwhile solution for your termite woes or simply a drain on your wallet. Keep reading to discover valuable insights into treating and preventing termite infestations!
What is Orange Oil?
Let’s start at the source: the zest of orange peels. You can extract orange oil by cold-pressing the peels or using steam distillation. From the orchard to the extraction facility, each step is carefully taken to maximize the potency of the final product.
Celebrated for its versatility, orange oil has a place within many products we use every day! Here’s where you may spot (or smell) this citrus oil:
- Aromatherapy: Orange oil is believed to have mood-boosting properties that alleviate stress and anxiety. To cool down after a long day, pop some of this into a diffuser or apply a carrier oil like coconut oil to your skin.
- Household Cleaning: Orange oil is a popular ingredient in household cleaners. It dissolves grease and cleans bacteria. Depending on your chosen product, you can use these cleaners to tidy up countertops, floors, and appliances.
- Skin Care: When combined with a carrier oil, orange oil is gentle on the skin and is often used in lotions, creams, and facial cleansers to increase hydration and reduce blemishes.
- Flavoring Agent: Orange oil is used as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry, adding a citrus flavor to baked goods, candies, beverages, and sauces.
- Natural Insect Repellent: Orange oil can also repel pests like ants, mosquitoes, and flies. Dilute and spray it around common insect entry points like windows and doors.
- Wood Polishing: Looking for a natural alternative to commercial wood polishes? Orange can help condition and protect wood furniture, leaving behind a vibrant shine.
Orange oil has many other uses, from fabric fresheners to hair care. But how does it work to eliminate and prevent termites?
How Do Orange Oil Termite Treatments Work?
So, what’s the secret behind orange oil’s effectiveness against termites? It’s all in its composition and unique properties. Packed with d-limonene, a potent solvent, orange oil can easily eliminate termites on contact. Here’s how:
It Destroys Their Exoskeletons
When used directly on the insects, it seriously impacts the destructive pests.
D-limonene swiftly enters the termite’s exoskeleton, degrading its waxy outer layer. This disrupts the termite’s ability to retain moisture, leading to rapid dehydration and eventual suffocation.
Termites rely on a tiny system of tubes called tracheae, which deliver oxygen directly to their cells. Air enters and exits the tracheal system through openings called spiracles located along the insect’s body.
Unlike mammals, insects do not have lungs to actively pump air; air passively moves in and out of the tracheae. This allows oxygen to reach all parts of the insect’s body while carbon dioxide is expelled as a waste product.
Because their tracheal system depends on the structural integrity of the exoskeleton to function correctly, extreme damage deprives cells of oxygen and causes the pests to deteriorate.
It Targets Termites as They Feed
But orange oil’s effectiveness doesn’t stop at the surface. Unlike traditional store bought termite treatments, which may struggle to penetrate the wood, orange oil’s low molecular weight allows it to seep into porous fibers. Orange oil can reach inaccessible areas where termites lurk within walls, floors, and ceilings.
As orange oil saturates the wood, it can eventually reach termite galleries: networks of tunnels and chambers where termites reside and feed. By targeting termites at their source, orange oil could eliminate the pests, leaving little opportunity for survivors to regroup.
It Prevents Re-infestation
The ultimate goal of any termite treatment is to eliminate existing infestations and prevent future re-infestations. After orange oil seeps into galleries and surrounding wood, it leaves behind lingering scents and residue that could act as an additional repellent to new termites.
However, we highly recommend that you rely on regular termite inspections to keep an eye on potential infestations, especially if you live in an area prone to termite activity.
Applying Orange Oil Termite Treatments
Depending on the infested area’s specific needs, orange oil can be applied in many ways. Professionals may drill small holes to access the termite galleries and inject the orange oil solution.
Alternatively, surface treatments can coat exposed wood surfaces, creating a protective barrier against termites. Each method is carefully chosen based on the location and severity of the infestation.
It’s essential to take safety precautions before handling orange oil. Like any pest treatment, professionals wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles to minimize direct contact with the solution. They will also ventilate and restrict access and reduce exposure to pets and home occupants.
Effectiveness & Limitations of Orange Oil Termite Treatments
Consumers may encounter challenges when trying to access effective orange oil termite treatments. Store-bought products often lack the potency and effectiveness of professional-grade treatments.
Additionally, specialized termite products are typically only available to pest control professionals, as the specialized equipment and expertise required for proper application may exceed the capabilities of most homeowners.
Without proper guidance on application methods, dosage, and effectiveness assessment, homeowners may struggle to adequately address termite infestations. That’s why we always recommend reaching out to pest control professionals to ensure you fully eliminate a tough termite infestation.
At proof., we’re your dedicated termite pros. We offer continuous monitoring to stay on top of potential infestations and offer top-notch elimination services that will protect your home from further damage.
Orange oil termite treatments may look appealing, but commercial products aren’t the best choice when dealing with these fast-moving and destructive pests. When you want real protection, contact us today!
