Mulch And Termites: Can Mulch Endanger Your Home?

While it offers many benefits, mulch can also attract termites into your home and other structures. As with everything in home and garden care, the safety or danger of mulch all depends on the materials you use and the way you apply them.

Woodchip or Bark Mulches

Woodchip or bark mulch attract termites more than other types. Take a few preventative steps to make sure the bugs don't get into your home.

• Make sure to keep the mulch several inches from your house and other structures.
• Be sure that it doesn’t collect on windowsills, decks or steps when you are applying it. 
• Consider using woodchips or bark from trees that are known for their natural insecticide/repellent properties, such as cedar and tea tree. 

When buying your mulch, know where it originated. Some market mulches can already be infested with termites (or their larva), and you may unwittingly import the pests into your garden when there wasn’t an issue before.

Other Types of Mulch

If all of these precautions still leave you feeling nervous about some uninvited houseguests, consider using mulch that is not as attractive to termites, such as compost, lawn green waste (leaves, cut grass, etc.) or newspaper.

Application and Maintenance

Remember that regardless of the type of mulch you choose, you should always keep it several inches away from your house and other structures to ensure that it will not provide a bridge for any termites to invade your home. It is also important to give only the appropriate amount of water: mulch traps water and heat in the soil, creating a moist warm environment that is perfect for breeding termites.

As long as you research the type of mulch you need and apply it appropriately to your garden, issues with insects will be minimal.

At the first sign of termites or other pests, immediately have your home treated by a reputable pest control company.