Dead wood may not seem appetizing to you, but termites love it. As such, wood mulch creates a safe harbor for these pesky creatures. Here’s more about when mulch attracts termites and what you can do to stop them.
Do Termites Like Mulch?
Sometimes, termites eat mulch. However, you may be glad to know that most U.S. termites don’t like eating the majority of mulching wood types. Still, there are some wood types you should avoid because they’re more likely to attract termites to your yard (see below).
Even when termites aren’t interested in eating mulch, they might want to use it as a pathway or shelter. It’s not necessarily the material that’s causing the problem, but the environment it creates for the pest. You also want to avoid placing cardboard under your mulch, because it can create a moist environment that draws termites in.
Worse than that, if you put your mulch close to your home’s foundation, and don’t put a between them, it may lead to termites infesting your home. And that’s an even bigger problem.
However, you don’t typically need to worry that your store-bought bag of mulch will contain termites. They wouldn’t survive the chipping process. Even if termites survived the chipper, they most likely wouldn’t be alive by the time you opened the bag.
You should also avoid laying cardboard under your mulch because it can create a moist environment that draws in termites.
Does All Mulched Wood Attract Termites?
Termites aren’t super picky, but they do have preferences. And if you don’t keep your eye out, they might just decide that your mulch could make a delicious buffet. But certain types of mulch are less appealing to termites. Therefore, it’s best to choose mulch materials wisely and regularly inspect the area for any signs of termite infestation.
Mulching wood to avoid includes:
- Untreated softwood: Softwood types, such as springwood, are more appealing to termites than other woods.
- Untreated hardwood: Though not quite as appealing as softwood, it may also make a tasty snack for termites.
- Non pressure-treated plywood: Unless plywood has been pressure-treated, termites will be able to smell cellulose.
- Gumtree: Gumtree is a natural habitat for termites.
- Paper-based materials: Again, termites aren’t drawn to wood per se, but rather to the cellulose found in wood. Many paper-based materials contain cellulose.
These mulch types are less likely to attract termites:
- Melaleuca wood: Melaleuca wood is highly unappealing to insects.
- Cedar: Cedar contains thujone, which repels insects. However, it may lose some of its oils as time goes on, making it more appealing to those uninvited visitors.
- Redwood and cypress: Both of these woods contain resins which are unattractive to termites.
- White oak: White oak is a durable choice that is known to resist termites well.
- Heartwood: Wood taken from the inside-part of wood, is less appealing to termites.
- Non-wood mulch: Rubber and stone may be less likely to attract termites. They still make a cozy environment for them to shelter in or travel through, though.
How to Prevent a Termite Infestation in Your Mulch
There are a few more things you can do to prevent termites from making an uninvited visit. Remember:
- Protect your foundation: Regardless of which mulch you use, it should never touch your home or be close to your foundation. There should be at least 6 to 12 inches of bare ground between mulch and your foundation.
- Prevent a termite-friendly environment: Try to keep the soil dry.
- Rake: You should regularly rake your mulch to prevent moisture.
- Don’t use cardboard: Avoid using cardboard under mulch. This may, once again, create a moist environment attractive to termites.
- Keep it tidy: Remove any wood debris that might attract termites.
- Be careful: Regularly inspect your home for termites. If you notice any suspicious activity, call a pro for an inspection.
Signs of Termites in Mulch
Regardless of how many precautions against a termite infestation you take, you should still look out for signs of termites. After all, if you let them into your yard or home, they can cause a real havoc.
- Swarmers: Some termites grow wings in order to find a male. Many species swarm at night, and you may find them around light sources. Others swarm during the day. However, all drywood termites swarm after rain.
- Wings: You might see discarded wings laying around. That’s because termites lose their wings after they fly. Spotting swarmers’ or their wings is a cause for concern, especially if they’re near your home’s foundation.
- Frass: Frass is another indication of a termite infestation, especially when it comes to drywood termites. It’s the termite’s waste material, which looks like small pellets or sawdust. You may find frass near areas where termites are active, such as in damaged wood or along the baseboards of your home.
- Mud tubes: Another sign of a termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes. These tubes are used by subterranean termites to travel to a food source. You can normally find them along the foundation of your home or in crawl spaces. Again, not storing mulch near your home’s foundation will help. If you found mud tubes, that’s a sign your building has been infested. But other mud formations or spots are also causes for concern.
- Signs of home infestation: Just some more signs that the termite infestation has definitely moved to your home are termite holes, hollow wood, blistering wood, squeaky floors, hard-to-open doors and windows, peeling paint, and chewing or headbanging noises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What attracts termites to my house?
Aside from mulch, the following conditions may also attract termites to your home:
- Moisture
- Clogged gutters
- Wood debris
- Stacked firewood
- Insulation
- Foundation cracks
- Poor drainage
- Roof problems
Where do termites come from?
One of the most common ways for termites to infest a home is through wood-to-ground contact. They also form mud and drop tubes to protect themselves while traveling to a food source, such as your home.
Moreover, termites can come through holes in the soil in your yard. Subterranean termites may also come in through foundation and brick-and-mortar cracks.
Read more in Where Do Termites Come From?
Is your house ruined if you have termites?
While a termite infestation may go unnoticed at first, it often leads to severe damage down the line.
Remove Termites From Mulch
If you notice that there are termites near your home, deal with them before they infest it. Once they get into the building, eliminating them will be more difficult and expensive.
Spraying insecticides on mulch is not a good idea. It will kill beneficial organisms and disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem.
The best way to deal with termites is to call a pro for an inspection. They’ll be able to help you keep your property pest-free.
Main Image Credit: Route66’s Images / Canva Pro / License edited using Canva Pro
