As a gardener, it is hard to ignore the array of mulch options available. From wood chips and bark nuggets to rubber and stone, there are so many to choose from that can help your garden look its best.
However, when selecting mulch for your plant beds or vegetable garden, you may be wondering: does mulch attract termites? And are there some mulches that don’t attract termites?
You may be even wondering what you can do to reduce the chance of attracting termites in your mulch.
After all, they’re one pesky pest that has several implications for yourself, your family (including pets), and your home.
But before we get into solving the issues around this, are termites actually attracted to mulch, or is something else going on?
Are Termites Actually Attracted To Mulch?
Termites are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. These tiny insects can cause major damage to a building’s structure and be costly to repair.
But can mulch attract termites?
Termites eat cellulose material which is found in wood, plants, cardboard, and carpet.
Since mulch commonly contains wood, you may think that termites are naturally going to eat that as well.
As it turns out, mulch is not a significant food source for termites.
Rather, mulch can provide a great environment for them to get easy access to the food they do want – wood. And particularly, wood that is part of your home. Termites on the whole prefer feeding on solid wood which is higher in cellulose content, instead of wood mulch.
Mulch provides the perfect environment for termites to thrive – a dark, damp, and safe space to use and spread to other food sources.
As it turns out, moist mulch that is clumped against a wooden structure makes for a termite’s paradise.
Mulch effectively allows termites that already exist in your garden to travel above the soil without having to necessarily dig tunnels. If your mulch is piled against your home, it’ll allow an easy highway for termites to get into your home.
The reality is, mulch can provide a food source for termites, but it’s more likely to provide them an environment to get closer to the real prize – your property and wooden structures.
Termite Resistant Mulch
Whilst for the most part, termites won’t pose a problem if they are in your mulch, you may still decide to opt for a mulch that is termite-resistant or at least prone to not keeping termites. This is especially a wise consideration if your mulch is close to your home.
- Cedar Mulch. This mulch has natural oils (mainly thujone oil) that repel termites – as well as other pests. Additionally, it also has a great color and adds a nice aroma to your garden area.
- Tea Tree Mulch is another termite-resistant mulch. The strong aroma of tea tree oil can help repel both flying and subterranean termites so it’s a great option for keeping them away from your property. The smell of tea trees dissipates over time to give your garden a natural and fresh smell.
- Cypress Mulch is similar to cedar mulch in that it contains natural oil that will also repel termites, amongst other insects.
- Treated mulch. You can purchase mulch of all types that have been treated with insecticides that will work to repel and kill termites and other insects.
Can There Be Termites In My Store-Bought Mulch?
It is possible, although unlikely for store-bought mulch to contain termites. There are several reasons why you shouldn’t be worried about introducing an infestation:
- The mulch is often treated with insecticides or other chemicals that will kill off any termites before you even use it.
- Most store-bought mulch has been stored for a long time – by the time you buy it, there’s almost no chance of it being filled with live termites.
- Any live termites will be removed from their colonies and the support those colonies use to provide. Therefore; the chance of survival is significantly reduced.
- Many mulches go through a chipping process to be broken down. The chance of termites surviving this is quite slim.
- Lastly, as we pointed out earlier, a termite’s main food source isn’t mulch.
All in all, it’s very unlikely that you’ll introduce an infestation from store-bought mulch. However, it is always best to inspect the mulch before using it and if you find any termites, discard the mulch immediately.
How To Reduce The Risk Of A Termite Infestation
Having termites in your mulch isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The main issue in dealing with termites is preventing them from proliferating to the point where they start threatening the wooden structures on your property and easily accessing them. Here’s how we deal with this problem.
Distance Your Mulch From Your Home
Keep the mulch away from vulnerable wooden structures like decks, porches, sheds, and house foundations. Do not pile mulch against your house’s exterior walls. This can create a highway for termites living in the mulch to get into your house!
Instead, make sure to keep about a foot distance at least between your home and the mulch. As the mulch nears your home, keep it drier and thinner than the rest of your mulch in your garden. This will promote more light (which termites hate), and less moisture to harbor the termites.
Reduce Moisture
Termites are attracted to moisture, so if you can keep the mulch piles dry, then the chances of a termite infestation are significantly reduced.
Don’t overwater your mulch and ensure to use a rake, shovel, or pitchfork to periodically aerate the mulch and disturb any budding termite colonies.
When it comes to the exterior of your home, make sure to conduct regular inspections around your home’s foundation and look for any areas of standing water or excess moisture – especially around the foundation of your home. Fix any plumbing leaks or gutter problems.
Avoid Insecticides
Insecticides are not always the most effective way of dealing with termites. They may kill some of them, but they can also spread to other parts of your garden – this would be counter-productive if you had beneficial bugs living there that are integral to the decomposition process of your mulch.
Having termites in your mulch is natural and makes up one of the many organisms that decompose your mulch. The most effective way of dealing with termites is simply creating a separation between the mulch and your home.
FAQ
Does Red Mulch Attract Termites?
Dyed mulches, including red mulch, do not typically attract termites. Termites are less likely to attack wood containing resin, such as redwood and cypress, which are often used in dying red mulch.
Does Dyed Mulch Attract Termites?
Dyed mulch, including red-dyed, does not attract termites any more than regular mulch.
Does Leaf Mulch Attract Termites?
Leaf mulch may attract termites if it creates a moist environment. Termites are attracted to moist areas as they provide a suitable habitat for colony establishment
Does Wood Chip Mulch Attract Termites?
Wood chip mulch can attract termites if it becomes overly moist and is located near potential food sources, like wooden structures. Certain types of wood chips, such as those from cypress sapwood, white birch, and types of pine, are more favorable to termites.
Does Bark Mulch Attract Termites?
Bark mulch does not typically attract termites, but as with other organic mulches, if it creates a moist environment, it could potentially provide favorable conditions for termites.
Does Pine Mulch Attract Termites?
Pine mulch can attract termites, especially if it retains moisture and is in proximity to the house or other wooden structures
Does Cedar Mulch Attract Termites?
Cedar mulch is generally not attractive to termites due to a natural chemical called thujone found in cedar. This makes cedar an effective termite-resistant mulching option
Does Cypress Mulch Attract Termites?
Cypress mulch, particularly the heartwood variety, contains natural chemicals and oils that can deter insects, including termites. However, other types of cypress mulch, especially if they are moist, can potentially provide favorable conditions for termite infestations. Applying cypress mulch correctly and maintaining proper moisture levels can help reduce the risk of attracting termites.