orange oil - XT 2000
XT-2000 is an 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. XT-2000 is 92% pure d-limonene!
When injected directly into termite galleries, XT-2000 kills termites and their eggs on contact. Should a termite be lucky enough to avoid physical contact with XT-2000, it can also die if it eats any wood that has been recently treated with the product.
The reason XT-2000 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. XT-2000 will melt 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 XT-2000 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 XT-2000 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.
EFFICACITY
Despite the proven success of XT-2000 in the field, many PCO's remain skeptical of the effectiveness of orange oil. Though we knew XT-2000 possessed remarkable termite control properties, we decided to commission an efficacy study to dissuade those who remained cynical.
XT-2000 hired Dr. Rudolf H. Scheffrahn, an entomologist working at the University of Florida with over a decade of experience, to evaluate the true potential of this potent termiticide.
In his study, Dr. Scheffrahn treated trunks and branches of Brazilian Pepper trees with active termite galleries. After confining individual segments, Dr. Scheffrahn treated eight pieces with 92% d-limonene (the potency of XT-2000) and eight with water. He treated these test pieces with no more than 7 fluid oz. (153 mL) in the entire segment at linear intervals of 12.5 cm.
The results are remarkable!
Dr. Scheffrahn revealed, "None of the water-treated members contained any dead individuals, whereas, members treated with 92% d-limonene yielded mortalities ranging from 47-100% with a total mean mortality of 97.4%"
Segments treated with water, the control substance, did nothing to the termites, HOWEVER, 6 out of the 8 boards treated with the active ingredient of XT-2000 destroyed over 98% of all termites
| LogNo. | Treatment | Total Dead | Total Live | Total Dead+Live | % Mortality | Log Length (cm) | Log Volume (cm3) | Volume Injected (mL) |
1 |
water |
0 |
710 |
710 |
0.00 |
104 |
1902 |
57 |
2 |
water |
0 |
88 |
88 |
0.00 |
98 |
1682 |
50 |
3 |
water |
0 |
367 |
367 |
0.00 |
121 |
3595 |
108 |
4 |
water |
0 |
903 |
903 |
0.00 |
113 |
2985 |
89 |
5 |
water |
0 |
338 |
338 |
0.00 |
144 |
3329 |
100 |
6 |
water |
0 |
332 |
332 |
0.00 |
82 |
1219 |
37 |
7 |
water |
0 |
728 |
728 |
0.00 |
99 |
1388 |
42 |
8 |
water* |
0 |
184 |
184 |
0.00 |
91 |
1073 |
32 |
1 |
limonene |
2248 |
37 |
2285 |
98.38 |
104 |
3478 |
104 |
2 |
limonene |
414 |
65 |
479 |
86.43 |
98 |
2350 |
70 |
3 |
limonene |
18 |
20 |
38 |
47.37 |
121 |
5100 |
153 |
4 |
limonene |
812 |
0 |
812 |
100.00 |
113 |
3090 |
93 |
5 |
limonene |
436 |
5 |
441 |
98.87 |
144 |
2552 |
77 |
6 |
limonene |
369 |
0 |
369 |
100.00 |
82 |
1233 |
37 |
7 |
limonene |
123 |
0 |
123 |
100.00 |
99 |
1022 |
31 |
8 |
limonene |
323 |
0 |
323 |
100.00 |
91 |
1172 |
35 |
Median test of % mortality for d-limonene vs. water: Chi-square=15.00, Deg. Freedom =1, Pr>Chi-square = 0.0001 contained only Cryptotermes cavifrons, a sympatric drywood termite species. Dr. Scheffrahn’s data demonstrates the devastating effect of d-limonene on Drywood Termites when using less than the label specified amount. When XT-2000 is used in a manner in accordance with product labeling, the potential of this natural termiticide is staggering.
STRUCTURE TREATMENT
With the use of proper techniques, PCOs can utilize XT-2000 to treat a structure for drywood termites. The following diagram illustrates a hypothetical termite infestation of twelve colonies (noted in red) over fifty-nine linear feet of wood. Some of these areas may seem inaccessible without the use of a more drastic method of treatment, however, the scope and treat method enables the user of XT-2000 to treat areas within wall voids in a simple and efficient manner.
DRILL AND TREAT METHOD
The basic method of using XT-2000 is quite simple. After locating the area of infestation, drill in a staggered pattern from the point of infestation out 30 inches in all directions. This will maximize the coverage of a single treatment. Once drilled, insert the B&G and inject XT-2000 for a sufficient period of time to permeate the wood members.
When treating an infested area, it is essential to use an effective drill pattern, thus ensuring the complete saturation of both the infected and surrounding wood with XT-2000 targeting the termites where they live and where they might escape to. When drilling it is important to have a variety of bits so that infested boards can be deeply penetrated without passing through the entire board.
When injecting XT-2000, it is important to use a generous amount of product. Though efficacy studies have demonstrated that a minute amount of d-limonene is quite potent, it is better to use more product to maximized the potential effect. A good rule of thumb is to apply XT-2000 from a B&G at a low pressure for at least 5 seconds per hole drilled.
When using the B&G injector, it is more effective to utilize a lower pressure as a higher pressure will encourage resistance. A lower pressure will ensure that XT-2000 is soaking porous cells of the wood being treated.
It is sometimes helpful to start injecting directly at the location of the kickout. As the liquid flows through the termite gallery, the other holes of the drill pattern may begin to drip product and provide further evidence of areas of infestation.
SCOPE AND TREAT
The reason XT-2000 can be used to treat a structure is due to the scope and treat method. Areas once considered inaccessible become visible through the use of Boroscopes, similar to those used in complicated surgeries.
When there is reason to believe termite infestation extends into inaccessible areas such as wall voids, locate the studs or other concealed wood members with a stud finder. It is important to avoid other concealed items such as electrical wiring and plumbing when using the scope. Once the suspected area of infestation is located, drill an entry point in the surrounding material to insert the Boroscope. If a concealed area is found to be infested with the Boroscope, simply drill and treat the wood member using XT-2000 and patch when finished.
Suggested placement of Boroscope insertion holes for evidence found at ground level:
If an infestation is suspected higher within a wall void, based on evidence located in windowsills or other areas, a technician may need to scope this area as well.
Suggested placement of Boroscope insertion holes for evidence found at higher levels:
