How Does Orange Oil Kill Termites?
The active ingredient of orange oil is D-Limonene, a chemical used in a variety of products including pet shampoos and household cleaners. It is known to be an effective insecticide against a variety of pests from flies, mosquitoes and ants, to crickets, mites and termites. Once a drywood termite colony has been located, applicators will drill holes into the infested wood every 5-6 inches and inject the orange oil into the hollow spaces where the termites are feeding. Scientists say the orange oil moves through wood like a gas, following the path of least resistance and filling up the treated piece of wood until the termites have no place to hide. Studies show varying amounts of residual effects from three days to three weeks. The majority of termites are killed by direct contact and since orange oil deters them from feeding, some will simply starve. Put more scientifically, the oil dissolves the termite’s exoskeleton, destroying the insect’s cell membranes and triggering a lethal chai
