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Lately, I've been asked, "What's up with this orange oil stuff I keep hearing about?" Having been in the pest control business for over 25 years, I can give you the real scoop, as well as share my knowledge and experience with those interested in knowing the best methods for eradicating termites.
Maybe you've heard about orange oil being advertised on the radio. A company from Lancaster, CA, went on a media blitz, spending a lot of money promoting the idea that they'd discovered a magical oil capable of ridding the world of house-eating termites.
Here’s the deal:
Orange oil is no less toxic than many other termite eradication products that have been available for years. The so-called magical solution to eradicating termites isn’t orange oil—it’s finding the termites in the first place. Eliminating termites poses many of the same challenges as locating hidden threats.
A discussion about orange oil and killing termites would be similar to the following conversation between a President and the Secretary of Defense discussing terrorists:
President: "I think we should employ the new stealth fighter to eradicate Al Qaeda."
Secretary of Defense: "That's a great idea, but I think we'd be far more effective with the B-12 bomber."
President: "Hmmm, yes, that's a great weapon, but let's also engage a nuclear submarine off the coast of Yemen... just in case."
What’s missing from this conversation? They don’t actually know where the terrorists are located!
This is the exact problem we face in termite control. We can’t find all the termites. I’ve been conducting termite inspections daily for over 25 years, and any experienced inspector knows that it’s virtually impossible to locate every single termite colony in a structure. There are no effective gadgets to assist in finding termites. Several companies have attempted to develop termite scopes, but they’ve failed—because in order to be effective, over 10,000 holes would need to be drilled in the average home, which is simply not practical.
The truth is, termites are easy to kill. No special oil is required to eradicate them. A local treatment like orange oil may eliminate termites in a specific area of a piece of wood, but it does nothing to protect adjoining pieces or prevent future infestations. In fact, nothing remains behind to ward them off. However, the bright side is that most homes can typically go 10-15 years between fumigations before termite infestations grow large enough to cause serious damage. If a house is sold in the meantime, it may require fumigation more frequently.
The difference between termite eradication for selling a home versus a homeowner taking a proactive stance is the margin of error. The liability of missing even a few termites during a real estate transaction is far greater than simply having to refund a homeowner's money. This is why orange oil companies won’t perform inspections for escrow, lumber, or anything behind drywall.
Yes, fumigation may be a bit inconvenient, and those striped tents aren’t exactly a neighborhood aesthetic, but that’s a small price to pay. As of today, nothing will keep termites out forever. The only method that can eradicate all the termites in a structure—without needing to locate individual infestations—is fumigation.
People often ask me, “But will termites come back after fumigation?”
The answer is: Yes, they might return someday. There is no chemical residue left behind after fumigation to prevent future infestations. However, fumigation offers the biggest advantage: It eliminates all termites in a structure, whether they were detected or not.
So, the next time you hear the words “orange oil”, just remember—it only works on termites that are accessible, detected, and directly treated. Unless you live in a concrete slab home with 1920s board and batten walls, the real issue isn’t how to kill termites—it’s how to find them.
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