Termites and Mulch: Recipe for Disaster?

You are a conscientious homeowner and hobby gardener. You know of the insulating qualities that gardening mulches afford to flower beds and tree saplings. At the same time, you know that termites delight in consuming virtually anything made from wood. Is it possible to attract termites to your home just by spreading cypress mulch? Do mulch and termites go together? Will mulching be the precursor to a costly home termite treatment? Actually, there is some truth to these statements – but the answers will still stun you.

Getting to know you: Termites 101

It pays to know what makes termites tick. Scientists classify these destructive insects as detritivores: Biologically beneficial decomposers. Their niche in nature is the decomposition of dead plant materials, particularly wood. Unfortunately for homeowners, termites do not care that the wood used in the construction of homes and furniture is not exactly in need of decomposition. The resulting damage, as tallied by Kansas State University researchers, reaches an annual price tag of $5 billion in termite damage to homes.

Does mulching attract Termites?

The relationship between the popular cypress mulch, termites and the potential for property damage is well worth a closer look. Cypress mulch — alongside cedar and other woods — is a frequently used landscaping product. You might have spread some in your flower beds earlier today! Mulching conserves water by reducing the evaporation from the soil. The material also positions itself as a temperature barrier, which protects new plants from temperature related root damage.

It is the combination of a consistently moist environment – coupled with temperature control – that appeals to termites. Thus, it is not the bark that will send voracious termites to your home, but the creature comforts that mulching offers to them. In fact, the bark chips you might be thinking of spreading probably do not contain enough nutrition to satisfy a single termite. The temperature and moisture loss protection, on the other hand, attracts termites even if you spread gravel mulch and do not have a wood chip in sight.

How to mulch without creating Termite Bait

If you live in an area where termites are frequent guests in home structures, proper mulching techniques are crucial for termite control. Methods for secondary termite damage prevention, which must accompany mulching techniques, almost always include the services of a vetted exterminator who specializes in residential termite treatments.

Mulching with termite control in mind is not difficult:

Spread just the right amount of mulch. Two to three inches of mulch afford your landscape all the benefits of mulching, without turning the flowerbeds into termite habitats. Set up a barrier between the mulch and any structure. Time and again, cited termite control methods include the warning not to have any wood touch a home. I have seen numerous hobby gardeners whose mulching led straight to the home’s foundation and siding, while they were nevertheless very careful not to have stacks of firewood touch the home. The best barrier between mulch and the home (or trees, or fence) is a bare six-inch wide band of soil or plain construction sand. Moisture-dependent termites will not cross this area. Avoid termite resistant mulch. Frequently this product is sold as being “insect proof.” It usually involves overly aromatic wood that discourages the presence of beneficial insects, which delight in making meals of garden pests. Jumping spiders might make you nervous, but they sure do reduce the number of pesky flies in your landscape. Hedge your bets. There is some evidence that subterranean termites have a bit of a hankering for pine and cypress mulches. At the same time, gravel mulch is the preferred moisture preserver for these destructive insects. Keep this in mind when choosing your next load of mulch.

Source

Kansas State University: “Mulches and Living Organisms”

More by Sylvia Cochran

How to Store Lumber

5 Mulch Secrets of Professional Landscapers You Can Use in Your Yard Today

Building a Retaining Wall Terrace


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *