FAQ: Orange Oil Termite Control

Frequently Asked Questions

What does XT-2000 Orange Oil® smell like?

Oranges, plain and simple.

How long do I smell it?

Typically 4 to 5 days.

Where do you get XT-2000 Orange Oil®?

We distill orange rinds to extract the oil. D-limonene is the chemical name for orange oil. It is a renewable resource and is a by-product of orange juice manufacturing.

How do termites enter my home?

Drywood termites infest dry, undecayed wood, , including redwood, dead limbs of native trees, shade and orchard trees, utility poles, posts, as well as structural lumber, and lumber in storage. To establish new colonies, winged reproductives will swarm to exposed wood on the exterior of nearby buildings and other structures.

What is a drywood termite swarm?

Termites go through a simple metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages. Within four to five years of the establishment of a colony, up to 87% of the adults grow wings and become male and female reproductives. These winged termites will exit the colony in a swarm. This usually occurs seasonally on sunny days during late summer and fall months.

Can termites be found in a newly completed building?

The majority of the requests for inspection are in homes ten years or older. A new home with swarmers would suggest that the wood used in construction was infested or became infested during construction. A colony will swarm within four to five years of being established; if a swarm occurs sooner than five years in a new building, we know that the colony was established in the structural timbers prior to completion of the structure.

How do you know which wall termites come from?

Termites are blind, but they can sense light and head towards it. The location of swarmers would provide evidence of their point of origin. Termites glide toward the light, but they are wretched fliers.

How do you find everything and how do you know you will kill all the termites?

Structural Integrated Pest Management (SIPM), like all treatments, requires a quality inspection. A quality inspection is the key to an efficient and effective treatment of XT-2000 Orange Oil®. Drywood termites cannot hide from a quality inspection. Termites may be living in inaccessible areas, such as wall voids. An inspector with a basic knowledge of the entomology of the species will be able to determine these possible areas of infestation, a “KIA.” “K”- Kalotermitidae (Latin for drywood termites) also known as Kalotermes (slang) “IA”- Inaccessible Areas. Further inspection of a “KIA” area, using methods such as a borascope during the treatment phase will allow access and identification of any additional infestations; with the right tools, no termite can stay hidden.

How can you look inside walls without opening them up?

Using a borascope, we verify the presence of drywood termites by locating their waste. We determine which areas need to be scoped due to other infestations located during the inspection. Termites have to create kickouts, a small hole through which they kick out their waste. Kickouts will occur up to 30 inches apart in an area that is infested.

Is XT-2000 Orange Oil® a primary treatment?

A Primary Treatment is when your whole structure is under warranty. There are only three Primary Treatments for drywood termites, Fumigation, Heat, and XT-2000 Orange Oil®. These are the only methods to have been proven in laboratory tests to get a 100% kill.

Is there a difference in companies that offer “no tent” treatment?

Any other “no tent”treatment, such as a local treatment, would be considered a Secondary Recommendation and Substandard. A Secondary Treatment only guarantees the treated areas, not the whole structure.

How does XT-2000 Orange Oil® work compared to fumigation?

We use a precise, comprehensive drill and treat method. The capillary action of XT-2000 Orange Oil® works in many ways like fumigation, but without the same risks! XT-2000 Orange Oil® moves through wood like a gas, along the path of least resistance, filling up the treated piece of wood until the termites have no place to hide. Unlike fumigation, XT-2000 Orange Oil® treatments are specifically targeted to the area of infestation, so you do not need to move out of your home during the treatment.

Once the termites are located, how does XT-2000 Orange Oil® kill termites?

With the drill and treat method, a technician will apply enough XT-2000 Orange Oil® to saturate the infested wood member. Once saturated, the orange oil will wick through the wood, getting to all of those hard to reach areas. In addition, once XT-2000 Orange Oil® is exposed to termites, its lights out!

How can drill and treat methods be effective if you do not apply XT-2000 Orange Oil® to every piece of wood in my house?

If there is no evidence of infestation, then the piece of wood is free and clear of termites. There is no need to treat every board, only the infested ones.

Once located, won’t any other pesticide kill all the termites?

XT-2000 Orange Oil® kills termites on not only contact, but also the fumes act as a neurotoxin to the termites, creating a pleasant orange fragrance that humans smell without any effect.

Do heat treatments work?

Yes, but the time and labor cost is reflected in your bill for the treatment. It takes six to eight hours to heat a piece of wood internally to 125° Fahrenheit. In addition, the pretreatment preparation required of the homeowner is extensive and, if not completed properly, heat can be extremely damaging to property, such as plastics, electronics, and many other items.

How can spot treatments be effective if you do not apply evenly to every board?

If there is no evidence of infestation, then a board is free and clear of termites. We do not need to treat every board, merely the infested ones.

Is XT-2000 Orange Oil® flammable?

The government rates XT-2000 Orange Oil® as combustible. A combustible product has a higher flash point than products labeled as flammable; the higher the flash point, less flammable; XT-2000 Orange Oil® is not as much of a fire hazard as a flammable product.

What if the termites return?

At no additional expense under the guarantee, the customer can request a service call. Under the “Whole House Annual Control Agreement,” every year we will perform a quality inspection and treat any new infestation as needed.

Will your treatment provide a clearance for me if I decide to sell my home?

Yes.

What Our Customers Say About Xtermite

David and Lehvi came out to my house on -- on a service call. They were polite and professional and did an outstanding job. They went above and beyond my satisfaction. I am a really satisfied customer. I give them a 10+.

- Susie K. (Xtermite Customer)

Hi! I wanted to let you know what a great job David did at our house today. He was friendly, explained everything and made the process really easy for me. I am sure we will be satisfied with the results and would recommend Xtermite to family & friends. Thank you!

- Felicia T. (Xtermite Client)

We wish to express our appreciation for the work of one of your inspectors, Neecole B. He did a terrific job for us - not only the termite inspection and treatment, but also his help making sure the repairs were done correctly. He is always polite, courteous and conscientious on the job. He's also very prompt and shows up right on time. We asked Neecole if it would be okay if we wrote a letter of appreciation because we feel very strongly that he deserves extra recognition for his excellent work. We will not hesitate to recommend Xtermite to our friends and neighbors.

- Herb & Bonnie (Xtermite Customers)

I wished to take a minute to acknowledge and say "thank you" to Xtermite for the recent work done at one of our properties. All of your staff is quite pleasant and very well informed about your products and services. We deal with a number of vendors for our various properties, but we honestly must state the Xtermite staff is #1! I would also like you to please express our gratitude to Neecole B. He is such a nice guy and went out of his way to make an inspection happen to accommodate our tight schedule. I am certain you have many customers who feel the same way as we do, but have not put their feelings down on paper. Anna, please share our letter with your staff, as they earned the compliment.

- John & Barbara (Xtermite Clients)

ALL REVIEWS

FAQ: Termite Facts

Termite, common name for numerous species of social insects that cause damage to wooden structures. Most of the about 2000 known species are distributed in tropical countries, although some inhabit North and South America and two species inhabit Europe. Termites display patterns of social behavior that are almost as elaborate as those of ants, social bees, and wasps.

Termite colonies, which may number from 100 to more than 1 million termites, have several different castes with different functions. Three principal castes exist: the reproductive, the workers, and the soldiers. The reproductive, or the king and queen, produce eggs. In some tropical species, the queen grows to an enormous size, sometimes as much as 20,000 times the size of the worker. A queen can lay eggs at a rate of about 30,000 eggs a day in some species. Apart from the reproductive, all castes are sterile and wingless and have whitish bodies. The workers are the most numerous caste and are the smallest adult form. Workers build the nest, tend the eggs, and feed and groom all the other members of the community. All species have soldiers whose role is to defend the colony.

Termites are detrivores, or detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees as well as dead parts of living trees, including wood and wood in the soil. A termite’s mouth is capable of tearing large pieces of food. This ability is what causes concern in human dwellings: while termites only measure approximately one centimeter in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property. House foundations, furniture, shelves, books, carpets and insulation are all possible feeding sites for termites.

Subterranean termite homes are usually formed in soil. Within these mounds, termites build elaborate tunnel systems and mud tunnels through which they access aboveground food sources. Drywood termites live within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture.

When a colony has matured, winged, swarming termites can be seen around windows and doors. Winged termites are highly attracted to sources of light and are most active in springtime. After mating, these termites locate a new breeding site and create another colony, spreading infestations throughout multiple locations.

What Can You Do to Help Protect Your Home?

Since termites are a constant threat to your home, here are some things you can do during the year to help maintain the effectiveness of your termite treatment plan. Small steps make a big difference in termite prevention and sustaining an effective termite treatment plan. Start by eliminating moisture conditions and food around your home. These simple steps make your home a less attractive target, helping deter termites.

Eliminate Moisture Problems

• Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and a/c units
• Divert water from foundation
• Keep gutters and down-spouts clean
• Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch
• Get rid of standing water on roof
• Keep all vents clear and open
• Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes
• Remove Food Sources

• Keep firewood, lumber, or paper away from foundation or crawl space
• Get rid of stumps and debris near house
• Place screens on outside vents
• Check decks and wooden fences for damage
• Wood on your home shouldn’t contact the soil
• Termite Warning Signs & Identification

• A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home.
• Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings).
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
• Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or in crawl spaces.
• Discarded wings from swarmers.

Contact us today! and speak with a representative about our services. We Just Keep It Simple.