Oil derived from orange rinds serves numerous valuable purposes around the house.
The use of orange essential oil provides a safe way to control flies and other insect pests. If an insect inhales the citrus oil fumes, it will suffer damage to the waxy coating that lines its lungs. Once lung damage occurs the insect will suffocate. Does this Spark an idea?
Indoor Fly Control
Oil derived from orange peels poses no danger to pets or humans. Most oil-based citrus products can safely be used on flies indoors or out. The pleasant smell of the orange oil also helps refresh a home's interior. The oil works to deter and kill flies and also works well on mosquitoes, silverfish, fleas, ants, roaches and ticks.
Horses and Livestock
Orange oil works well at repelling and killing pest flies that plague horses or livestock. A wide array of commercial products that have orange oil as a base can aid in controlling the pests around horses. Equine owners can choose from orange oil-based sprays, face masks, rubs and shampoos. Mixing orange oil, detergent and water will help reduce dust and control flies if spayed on the floor of stables, tack rooms, food storage areas or riding arenas.
Production
The rind or peel of the orange has small glands that produce an oily, pungent substance. Commercial pesticide companies derive the oil from the orange through extraction, steam distillation or as a by-product of orange juice production. The orange's oil is comprised of about 90 percent d-limonene. The caustic orange oil makes a remarkable cleaner, solvent, insect repellent and pesticide. The solution usually undergoes dilution with water prior to use. Most concentrations stand at 5 to 15 percent in commercial preparations.
Homemade Orange Oil Spray
You can make your own oil of orange-based fly spray at home. Peel oranges and place the peels into a large pan filled with water. Simmer over the stove for several hours to quickly extract the oil from the rinds. To slowly remove the oil, place the peels in a sealed container of water for several days. Remove the rinds from the water and skim the oil from the water's surface. Mix the oil at a ratio of 1 to 2 ounces of oil per gallon of water. Straight orange oil can damage wood or painted surfaces.
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