The Oil Trick That Can Help Get Rid Of Termites Naturally (But You Might Not Love It)

A large termite infestation can wreak havoc on a home or outbuilding, and these pests often go unnoticed until they've created visible signs of damage. To prevent catastrophic structural issues and the spread of an infestation within your home, it's vital to start treatment as soon as you spot signs of termites. Traditional termite treatments, like pesticides or termiticides, often involve harsh chemicals that can be dangerous to human health if not used as directed. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies, like orange oil, that have proven to be effective in the battle against termites.

A 2019 study published in the Instars Journal compared treating subterranean termites (Isoptera Rhinotermitidae) with three home remedies, including salt water, lemon juice and vinegar, and orange oil. The study found that orange oil exterminated every termite it came into contact with, while the other two methods were ineffective. Orange oil has also been proven effective in treating drywood termites (Isoptera Kalotermitidae), which is another common type of termite in the United States.

D-limonene, a naturally occurring compound found in orange peels and extracted into orange essential oils, is an effective insecticide. When insects, such as termites, come into contact with the oil, it begins breaking down their exoskeleton and can also kill their eggs. However, for orange oil to be an effective way to get rid of termites, these pests must come in direct contact with it, which poses a problem for some species. Subterranean termites, for example, live in the soil and build mud tubes to access wood to feed on — this makes them challenging to spot treat, which is a bummer as they are the most common type of termite. Drywood termites, on the other hand, live in colonies inside dry wood. Once you identify the colony, you can spot treat the area, wiping out a large portion of the infestation.

To treat drywood termite infestations with orange oil, locate the termite activity and apply the orange oil directly to the wood. You can also drill holes in the wood and inject orange oil for deeper penetration. However, before DIYing a treatment plan, we recommend calling in a pest control professional for termites to identify damage, locate all termite activity, and advise on treatments. Depending on the termite species and the size of the infestation, orange oil might not be the most effective option.