Tenting Vs. Orange Oil for Termite Control

Tenting fills a house with a gas that kills termites. Orange oil is a less toxic alternative. D-limonene, a major component of orange oil, is an ingredient in some cosmetics and a flavoring in food. In appropriate concentrations, it also kills insects on contact.

Types

Drywood termite control methods fall into two categories, according to the Los Angeles County Agriculture Commissioner. Tenting is a whole structure treatment that kills all termites at the same time. Orange oil is a localized treatment that only affects the areas where termite activity appears.

Effects

Tenting kills all termites including those that cannot be seen, but the gas may have negative impacts on the environment. Orange oil treatment can miss some hidden termites, but the product is biodegradable. Neither tenting nor orange oil treatment prevents the return of termites.

Considerations

The gas used in tenting will kill any living thing inside the tent. Homeowners must stay out of their homes and remove all food and medicine or seal it in special bags. The gas can also contaminate mattresses and pillows. Fumigation can last for as long as 30 hours. It takes an additional six to eight hours for the gas to clear out of the house after fumigation. Orange oil applications require drilling small holes in the wood that has termite activity and injecting the oil. Residents do not need to leave the house.

References

• County of Los Angeles: Termite and Fumigation
• SFGate: Can You Kill Termites With Kindness?
• University of Hawaii: Termite Project
• University of Florida: Natural Products for Insect Pest Management
• PubMed.gov: D-Limonene: Safety and Clinical Applications