Does Mulch Attract Termites? While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather.
The five best mulches to avoid termites in your yard or garden are cedar mulch, cypress heartwood mulch, and melaleuca mulch, licorice root mulch, and redwood mulch. Cedar wood mulch, cypress heartwood mulch, and melaleuca mulch are hardwood mulches, and they last longer than any other mulches.
One option is to leave one foot of space between where you lay the mulch and the base of your foundation. However, you can also lay the mulch right next to the foundation if you can leave at least a one-foot gap between the mulch and the siding or framework of your home.
Pine straw is the most commonly used mulch that is lowest in cellulose, and it is a good choice for foundation plantings. Mulches that are not plant-based, such as rubber mulches, gravel and rocks, are, of course, not consumed by termites.
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
Boric Acid: Boric acid is a tried-and-true method for killing termites. Many of the termite insecticides you can find at the store use the highly effective boric acid as the main ingredient. Boric acid works by dehydrating the termite and shutting down its nervous system.
Termites hate sunlight. In fact, they can actually die if they are exposed to too much sunlight and heat. If you have a piece of furniture you suspect to be infested with termites, you can drag it out into the yard to bake in the Arizona sun for a bit.
While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather.
Mulch is a combustible material that can be easily ignited by improperly discarded smoking materials. Hundreds of small and large fires are started this way every year. The risk is that what starts as a small outdoor mulch fire can quickly spread to buildings.
1) Newspaper and cardboard sheet mulches can become pest havens. Termites were found to prefer cardboard over wood chips as a food source, and rodents such as voles often nest underneath mulch sheets.
But can mulch attract bugs? Yes, it can. The mulch itself isn't what attracts the insects and other pests to your garden. However, it provides insects already in the vicinity with a hospitable environment.
Wood-based mulches placed near a home's foundation could attract termites. If termites are already present, the wood mulch would give them further nesting grounds in which to cause havoc. Wood and other organic-based mulches hold in the most moisture, and termites require moist areas in which to thrive.
Dangers of Untreated Mulch
The main concern with untreated, organic mulch without chemicals is that it might provide an attraction to termites and draw them into your yard, says Gardens Alive!.
When using mulch in your landscape, there is no need for the use of artificial weed barrier such as plastic or landscape fabric. These materials do not work and are not weed barriers. They are only necessary under stone. That is to prevent the soil from mixing with the stone.
Cedar Mulch – Resin from cedar heartwood is toxic to termites. Cedar mulch can also deter cockroaches, odorous house ants, and other insects. Cypress Mulch – Heartwood makes cypress a termite-resistant mulch. It also has anti-fungal properties and a slow rate of decay.
Mulch is one of the favorite places for rodents and mice to stay safely and gather food. Though mulch doesn't really attract mice and rodents directly. But they act as a safe house for these tiny creatures. Some mulch may deter them, but mostly mulch is a shelter for rodents and mice.
Composted wood chips showed the slowest spread rate and the shortest average flame length, usually smoldering. Shredded rubber, pine needles, and shredded western red cedar showed the greatest potential for all three characteristics.
Most pest control companies advise against piling mulch against the side of your house, since it can increase the chance of termites entering your home. This is good advice, since termites are subterranean and have to keep themselves moist, and mulch provides good cover for their underground tunneling activities.
Rocks are better at weed-prevention than mulch and are also lower maintenance. Stones can also add to the aesthetics of a property. However, rock cover is not good for gardens that receive a lot of sun because they retain more heat than mulch. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.
There have been rumors that large chain stores have spread termites by selling infested mulch. This is unfounded and unlikely. It's not impossible to find termites in a bag of mulch, but it's not likely they would survive for long or even be alive once the bag is opened.
Clemson University scientists reported that 'Termites hate smells of cedarwood, geranium, and tea tree oil. It has also been found that clove bud, cinnamon, and garlic oils can also repel termites.
Summary: Just as humans may use naphthalene "moth balls" to fumigate their closets, termites may use naphthalene to protect their nests, according to a research group led by urban entomologist Gregg Henderson, Ph.
Cinnamon, Other Essential Oils
Other oils effective against termites, either as repellents or pesticides, are tea tree, clove bud, orange, cedarwood and garlic. Clove bud and garlic oils are two of the most effective oils for killing termites, according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.