Vikane^® gas fumigant is the only whole-structure fumigation option proven in over 50 years of study and use to completely eradicate termite infestations from entire structures without damage to the structure or personal possessions inside it.

There are, of course, alternatives to fumigation. Two options are spot treatment and heat treatment.

Spot Treatment

Spot treatments require getting the product into places where termites will come into direct contact with it.

One example of spot treatment is orange oil. Contrary to popular belief, orange oil’s active ingredient is not citric acid but d-limonene, a solvent closely related to turpentine.¹ D-limonene is flammable at a flash point of 115º F. The oil’s solvent properties (it’s usually used as a grease-cutting cleaner) might also affect paint and other finishes when used in concentrations required for termite treatment. Research also indicates that d-limonene reacts to ozone in potentially harmful ways.^3,4,5,6

While orange oil doesn’t require moving out of the treated house or structure, some people find the intense residual citrus smell offensive.

Finally, ongoing research indicates that termites survived in up to 50% of the wood treated with a 92% concentration of d-limonene, under the brand name XT-2000.²

Read a summary of a research-based comparison of orange oil and fumigation or see a side-by-side comparison.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment is the only whole-structure alternative to fumigation. The extreme heat disrupts termites’ cellular membranes and breaks down enzymes they need to survive. When a structure is treated with heat, it is sealed off and the structure must be heated over a period of four to six hours until the core temperature of the largest wood beams stays at 120° to 130° for anywhere from 33 minutes to an hour.⁶ This requires heating the overall structure to temperatures between 140° and 160°.  Structures must be qualified for heat treatment, as certain structural materials are not suitable for this approach.

Key challenges with heat treatment are the difficulty in raising and sustaining core temperatures in large wood beams, and “heat sinks” where infested wood comes into contact with concrete or tile surfaces, making it difficult to heat.

In addition, common household items can be susceptible to heat damage. Plastics, such as outlet and light switch covers and kitchen utensils are susceptible to heat damage. Vinyl windows must be treated with care. Electronics, such as computer equipment and cable wiring can also sustain damage during the process, making it particularly difficult to use in office buildings, as well as in medical facilities where sensitive equipment and x-ray film can be adversely affected or damaged.

Although heat treatments require evacuation of the home or structure, it is generally for a day or so, depending on how easily temperatures in core structures can be raised and maintained.

References

1. Mashek, B. and Quarles, W. Orange Oil for Drywood Termites: Magic or Marketing Madness? The IPM Practitioner. V. XXX, Jan/Feb, 2008. Found online: http://www.birc.org/JanFeb2008.pdf
2. Dow AgroSciences. Technical Release: Laboratory evaluation of efficacy of orange oil (XT-2000) for control of drywood termites in naturally-infested boards. 2009. Available online: Link to PDF: http://www.877termite.com/media/pdf/dow-agro-sciences_orange-oil-efficacy.pdf
3. Wainman, T., Zhang, J., Weschler, C, and Lioy, P. J. Ozone and Limonene in Indoor Air: A Source of Submicron Particle Exposure. Found online: http://www.ehponline.org/members/2000/108p1139-1145wainman/wainman-full.html
4. Healthy Child Healthy World. Chemical Profiles: d-Limonene. Found online: http://healthychild.org/issues/chemical-pop/d-limonene/
5. Material Safety Data Sheet: DLimonene MSDS. Found online: http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-DLimonene-9924496
6. V. R. Lewis. Drywood Termites, Pest Notes. IPM Education and Publications, UC Statewide IPM Program. Copyright 2009. Online at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7440.html