Orange Oil Local Treatment

There is a lot of buzz around "Orange Oil" as a true whole house alternative to fumigation. We are aware of several companies making such claims. This is simply untrue.  In fact, the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs states that :"There are currently two methods for total or whole-house eradication of drywood termites—fumigation and heat."  They also declare that "Any pest control company that claims whole-house results with local or spot control methods is guilty of false advertising and should be reported."

At this time ProCitra-DL is the only termite control product containing "Orange Oil" that has published efficacy data regarding the effectiveness against drywood termites. (See below)

ProCitra-DL orange oil is a naturally occurring essential oil containing the active ingredient d-limonene. This citrus oil is derived from the rind of the orange and is used in a variety of products from pet shampoos to household cleaners. This formula has made it possible to treat termites effectively without chemicals.

When injected directly into termite galleries, ProCitra-DL kills termites and their eggs on contact.

The reason ProCitra-DL orange oil and d-limonene are so devastating to termites is because of its exceptionally high citric acid content. This highly acidic pH level is of minimal consequence to humans, but to termites it is fatal.

ProCitra-DL affects the exoskeletons and eggs of termites that come in contact with it, and should these pests be unfortunate enough to devour any wood that was recently treated, their stomachs will suffer a similar fate.

Although ProCitra-DL will biodegrade in about four days, during that residual period, termites that eat treated wood through which d-Limonene travels will also be eradicated.

Another amazing property of ProCitra-DL is its ability to actually wick through wood, traveling through the porous cells in all direction and even defying gravity! Orange oil will not only treat the areas into which it is injected, but will soak into the surrounding areas as well.

ProCitra-DL is a professional use contact aerosol that contains no synthetically engineered active ingredients. d-Limonene, ProCitra-DL’s active ingredient, comes directly from orange and other citrus peels making it useful for any sensitive account.

ProCitra-DL, part of Whitmire Micro-Gen’s line of "green" pest management products, is a botanical-based insecticide ideal for Crack & Crevice and spot treatment in both food and nonfood handling areas. It kills a wide variety of pests including ants, cockroaches, fleas and spiders and may be used in sensitive accounts such as schools, nursing homes, food processing plants, hospitals and government buildings.

ProCitra-DL Efficacy Data

Purpose: To test the efficacy of Prescription Treatment^® brand ProCitra-DL on dry wood termite nymphs.

Material: Prescription Treatment^® brand ProCitra-DL (499-497).

Cooperator:  R. H. Scheffrahn PhD., University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, Report Number: 802.

Insects: Southeastern Drywood termites (Incisitermes snyderi)

 Procedure: The product was applied into one half of a wooden chamber.  The termites where placed into the other half of the chamber.  The amount of material applied was recorded. After a holding time of three days, the two parts of the chamber were connected.  Four replications were used with 30 termites for each replication.  Mortality was recorded over time, Table 1. 

Results:

Table 1 Percent Mortality at Time
	Days
Treatment	3	6	12	24	49
ProCitra-DL	40.0abc	58.3a-d	61.7a-e	71.7ab	87.5a
Untreated Control	0.0c	0.0e	0.0e	0.0c	13.3c
Water Control	1.7c	2.5e	2.5e	2.9c	8.3c

Discussion: This test gave a good indication of repellency of the product to the termites.

Conclusions:  The Pro-Citra DL gave statically equivalent results for the control of dry wood termites at 49 days and did not appear to be repellent.  The Pro-Citra DL gave fast knockdown.

If you have a complaint about a pest control company or wish further information, call the Structural Pest Control Board at (800) 737-8188, Extension 2 (in Sacramento call (916) 561-8708).

Orange Oil Application