Should You Use Orange Oil for Termites? 

Termites are a common problem for homeowners, and getting rid of them can be challenging. Orange oil is a natural remedy marketed as a way to kill termites. But will it work for your circumstances, and should you use orange oil for termites? Yes, with some caveats. It’s a natural, temporary solution, termites must come into direct contact with it, and it only works in small areas.

Why Worry About Termites?

In the US, almost 600,000 homes are damaged by termites every year. Repairing the damage and controlling the infestation costs homeowners about $5 billion annually. If you have ever dealt with termites in your house or bought a property with hidden damage, you know why prevention is your first line of defense. 

What is Orange Oil? 

Orange oil comes from the skin of oranges and contains a chemical called d-limonene, which acts as an insecticide toxic to termites. The oil is made by squeezing the orange rind. People use it in aromatherapy, pet shampoos, cleaning, and keeping some bugs away without using chemicals.

How Does Orange Oil Work on Termites? 

The Capillary Effect

Let’s break down how orange oil penetrates the wood in your walls. Orange oil uses a process called wicking, which is also known as the capillary effect or the sucking effect. This effect occurs when a liquid substance, in this case, orange oil, flows through a medium (wood) against the natural force of gravity. 

Example of Capillary Effect

Wood is similar to a hardened sponge, which can absorb liquid; wood can expand and contract with the moisture in the air. A great example of the capillary effect is watching a paper towel absorb water on a table; that’s how fast wood can absorb oil. This is why orange oil is an effective capillary agent for treating wood, as it can be absorbed much faster than water.

Effect on Drywood Termites

If you inject orange oil into a piece of wood, it works naturally through the capillary effect and spreads throughout the entire wood piece. After around four to five hours, the orange oil evaporates and effectively dissolves the skeleton of every termite inside the wood. This is a safe and eco-friendly method of extermination.

Note: If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and pet-friendly solution to kill drywood termites, orange oil can be optimal. However, it’s important to note that it is only effective if you know the exact location of the termites and are confident that the oil will come into contact with their bodies. Remember that this method might not work on Subterranean or Dampwood Termites as they can travel from outside and might not be accessible under the ground or outdoors.

Orange oil can be an effective treatment for localized and small termite infestations. You might need to combine the orange oil with other termite extermination options for large-scale and active infestations. (They hate the smell.)

Which Termites Might Orange Oil Work On?

All termites eat wood, right? No. It’s a common misconception that all termites eat wood. We’ll explore the three most common types of U.S. termites: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. 

Subterranean termites: Did you know that subterranean termites are the most common type of termite in the USA? They are responsible for causing most of the damage to homes, too. You might be wondering where they live. 

These termites live underground and build muddy tubes to move around. They love to feast on wood in homes. But that’s not all — they also munch on other things like insulation and paper.

Drywood termites: These are also present in the United States, but they’re not as common as the subterranean ones. They live inside the wood they infest and feed on dry wood (hence the name). Over an extended time period, they can cause a lot of damage. These termites are primarily found in areas near the coast with high humidity.

Dampwood termites: These termites live in moist, decaying, and/or dying trees, requiring a high moisture level to survive. Typically found in forests or other natural settings, these insects are not considered a significant threat to homes. When wood gets damaged by termites, it becomes hollow along the grain, and the feeding galleries are usually lined with dry mud or soil particles.

How to Make Homemade Orange Oil for Termites 

If you want to make your own orange oil, you’ll need orange peels and a type of oil like olive oil. First, put the peels in a jar and pour the oil over them. Wait for a few days, then take out the peels. Now you have orange oil that you can use to deal with termites. 

But, if you want to save some time, you could buy some orange oil. Mix two ounces of orange oil into one gallon of water and spray into the holes. Always wear protective gloves when handling orange oil.

Which is Better, Orange Oil or Tenting? 

Orange oil and tenting are two common termite treatments. Orange oil is better if you’re looking for an eco-friendly approach in a smaller, localized area. Tenting involves covering the entire property with a tent and fumigating it with gas to kill all termites. Tenting is more effective on larger infestations, but it requires vacating the property for several days and can be more expensive. 

Professional Treatment Factors That Affect Cost

If you decide to go pro with your orange oil treatment, consider some factors that determine your costs. These include:

• Infestation Size and Severity: The costs of termite treatments are driven by the infestation’s severity. Larger infestations require more labor and orange oil, increasing the overall price.

• Accessibility: When the areas affected by termites are difficult to access or require special tools, the treatment expenses may rise. For instance, dealing with termites in an attic or crawl space can demand more time and energy, increasing overall costs.

• Property Size: The size of the property determines the cost of treatment. The larger the property, the more areas need to be inspected and treated, which can increase the overall price. It’s essential to get a proper inspection done and get a quote for the treatment costs before proceeding with any pest control measures.

• Location: Orange oil treatment costs can vary based on your location, the labor rate for your area, and the cost of living in your area. (For example, the orange oil treatment cost in New York City will typically be more expensive than a treatment in in rural Pennsylvania.)

How to Apply Orange Oil for Termites

There are a couple of steps and rationales to this process:  

1. Locate: To find where termites are hanging out, look for clues. Look for signs of an infestation so you can pinpoint their hideout.

2. Identify: To kill it, you need to know what type of termite you’re dealing with.

3. Drill: Drill holes with a 7/64th drill bit and inject the Orange oil into the infested wood and the hollow spaces where the termites feed. Wait about four to five hours until the wood is saturated. The number of holes drilled will depend upon your situation and what is needed. 2x4s will need fewer holes than 4x4s. 

How Do I Know If I Have Termites?

Termites are a sneaky group, working undercover within your walls and eating anything that contains cellulose, like wood, drywall, and decaying or dead trees. You might not notice them slipping into the cracks of your foundation, but there are other ways to tell they are lurking and causing damage: 

• Mud tunnels: These tiny mud tunnels are often seen on walls and other surfaces. Termites use these tunnels to move back and forth and as a form of protection from predators.

• Termite Droppings (Drywood Frass): If you see weird little piles of brown, dry, grainy pellets near wooden furniture or walls, you might have drywood termites. These guys like to munch on anything they can find, and they even get water from their poop.

• Discarded Wings: When termites mate and create new colonies, they fly (also called swarming). But once they’ve flown, they lose their wings and don’t survive very long. One way to detect a possible termite infestation in your home is to watch for any discarded wings they might leave behind.

• Hollow-Sounding Walls: If you tap a section of your wall that sounds less solid than the rest, it could mean that termites have already damaged the wood behind the wall or are currently eating the wood. However, it’s also possible that the area simply lacks a stud if the wall is made of drywall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is orange oil safe for humans and pets? 

Yes, it’s an essential oil with many health benefits. Having said that, although orange oil is a mild substance, it’s not completely risk-free. Some people might experience allergic reactions due to overexposure. 

However, compared to chemical treatments, it poses a lower risk to human health and doesn’t require residents to leave their homes or take out food and medications during treatment. It’s a natural and less toxic option, making it popular among homeowners, especially those with pets or kids.

What is the best orange oil for termites?

Based on our research, Orange Guard on Amazon is a strong front-runner. It comes in a spray bottle, which makes it convenient.

What other bugs look like termites? 

There are four other bugs that are termite lookalikes. These culprits might look like termites to the untrained eye: 

1. Carpenter Ants
2. Carpenter Bees
3. Acrobat Ants
4. Powderpost Beetles

Call in the Pros

Orange oil can be an effective solution if you’re dealing with a small and localized termite infestation. However, it’s best to explore other treatment options for larger infestations. In such cases, PestGnome will connect you with termite professionals who can assess your situation and recommend the most appropriate action. They will begin by thoroughly inspecting your home to identify any signs of infestation and then suggest the best way to tackle the problem.

Main Image Credit:
Background: Africa Images / Canva Pro / License
Termite: Panupon_eur / Canva Pro / License
Termite Damage: P_Wei / Canva Pro / License

Harley Grandone

Harley Grandone, a writer and landscape designer, enjoys writing blogs. After 20+ years of being a landscape designer for major residential home builders like Toll Brothers, she’s delighted to combine her love of writing with her love of the industry. When not writing, she can be found in the backyard trying to devise new ways to control mosquitoes and prevent the sycamore tree's bark from clogging up the gutters.

Posts by Harley Grandone