Why Mulch Attracts Termites and How to Avoid It
This might occur when you are preparing to host a large number of visitors at your house, while you are hosting relatives for the holidays, or even when you are just enjoying a romantic evening in for two people.
Any time of day or night, at any location (city or country), under any weather or environmental circumstances is possible. A major concern with termite infestations is not whether they may occur, but if they must occur — which is particularly important to consider if you have a mulch pile on your property.
Is it true that these stacks of wood are the termite-attracting annoyances that some say they are? If one gets rid of the other, does it imply that one gets rid of the first?
Honestly, it’s a whole lot more complex than that. However, although there are parts of mulch that might attract termites, your risk can vary greatly based on the sort of mulch you use, how you use it, and a variety of other variables.
However, if your mulch pile is correctly maintained, you won’t have to worry about getting eaten alive by invading wood-eating creatures.
MULCH AND TERMITOIRES
For a variety of reasons, we often connect mulch with a heightened danger of termites, and for the same reason, termites might be attracted to the former in particular.
Because termites consume wood, it would seem that mulch made from wood chips would be a delicious feast for termites.
The fact that mulch heaps attract termites is not always the case, and as we’ll see in a moment, it isn’t quite as severe as it would seem at first glance, but when it is, it is often the first major red warning that something is wrong and will continue to go wrong if left unchecked.
Termites are also attracted to dimly lit locations, which is another factor to consider. A mulch pile’s interior might be a good fit for this. It’s the same with regard to humidity.
When you combine those three elements and create a room that is dark, damp, and densely packed with drywood, you have the ideal formula for attracting termites to your property.
The true problem with mulch is not necessarily that termites will consume it, but rather that they will utilize it as a foundation for their colony to grow. In particular, if the mulch in issue is very damp or if there are a large number of insects present near the mulch, this may be the case.
Why Mulch Attracts Termites and How to Avoid It
Mulch that is resistant to termites is number one on the list.
However, not all mulch is equally attractive to termites, which is a fortunate development. There are many various varieties of mulch manufactured from a variety of different substances, some of which will not be attractive to termites and may even work to repel them.
Terms prefer sapwood from cypress, white birch, and some species of pine above other woods. Eucalyptus wood, red cypress wood, California redwood, and other wood products are not nutritious for termites, in contrast to those mentioned above.
They will either be disinterested in or put off by wood chips of this kind, prompting them to seek out more nutritious wood sources elsewhere.
It is possible that by laying out wood chips in this manner and ensuring that there are no other healthy wood supplies available for the termites, you will starve the termites into searching out a new colony.
Putting down excellent, termite-resistant mulch is the core of the task. It is also possible to put clay and other elements in the mulch, since they are not nutritious to the termites and are difficult for them to employ in their colonies.
2.The Proper Application of Mulch
The right application of mulch is another important step in ensuring that you do not have to deal with termites for an extended period of time.
Mulch should be placed in a strategic area in order to avoid attracting termites. The placement is one of the most important considerations when laying down mulch.
Keep in mind that you want to ensure that your mulch stays in your yard and does not contaminate parts of your house where wooden elements are prevalent. Check to see that it is not too close to any of your doors or walls.
For best results, mulch should be maintained at least six inches away from the foundation of your house to help reduce the risk of foundation failure.
Using materials such as gravel, which termites are unable to consume, will also be an option to investigate. In most cases, it is ideal to position this between your flower beds and other similar gardening areas.
3.Take Caution When Watering Your Plants
Moisture, as previously said, is one of the most appealing aspects for termites. In order to minimize this risk, you should take every precaution.
You must naturally water your lawn and garden, but you may create a barren, unwatered zone surrounding your rich soil to save water.
This is another another excellent illustration of where your gravel should be placed in an optimal situation. In between gardening areas and between the plots and your house, placing gravel or other nonorganic dry material between them will help keep termites away from any termite infestations that might damage your property via the mulch you use to protect your garden.
Because of this, you should exercise caution while watering your house as well as your lawn and mulch. Keep any standing water in the mulch to a minimum.
Encourage aeration of your mulch at intervals sufficient to prevent it from becoming the wet, dank sanctuary for termites that it may otherwise become.
Natural Juices and Oils are number four.
Organic and do-it-yourselfers may be interested in oils and juices as natural pesticides, which may be obtained via a variety of means.
Spritzing citrus around your mulch and other problem areas, for example, will help deter termites from entering.
4.Keep your guard up.
The most essential thing you can do to ensure that your mulch does not become a termite refuge is to simply be cautious and on the lookout for termites at all times. To assist in the establishment of a colony, just a small number of termites are required.
Consequently, it is essential that you do not grow complacent in your attempts to prevent a termite infestation in your house as well as your property.
As an example, if you use natural insecticides, be sure to apply them on a consistent basis. Prevent any standing water from forming in the mulch by keeping it moist.
It’s important to utilize wood chips that aren’t conducive to termite infestation, and you should pay attention to how near your mulch is to your residence.
If you follow these basic methods, you can make significant gains toward ensuring that your mulch, as well as your whole property, is protected from termites.
