The present invention relates to a composition for the protective treatment of thatch wherein said composition comprises limonene or one or more vegetal sources of limonene, one or more saponins, or one or more vegetal sources of saponins, cypress oil, an emulsifier, and sulfur. The invention further relates to the use of the composition for the treatment of thatch and thatch comprising objects. Further, the invention relates to a method of treating thatch and other thatched structures using the same composition. Further, the invention relates to the thatched roof, subjected to such treatment.