On termites and mulch?

If there is a large infestation of termites in your mulch they're likely interested in something beneath it or within the confines of your dwelling. Now this depends n what ones calls mulch or who you talk to but I'll take university research over myth or misconception. I've been "playing in mulch" for 30 years. You can heap a pile of processed hardwood and leave it sit for a couple of years, when you stir into it you might find snakes, dead animals, or winged ants/insects of any crazy sort but if you find termites their food source is somewhat nearby. It's not the mulch.

Mulch can be a gateway to the home but there has to be something inside more desirable, processed mulch itself won't sustain them. If it were suitable termite food we wouldn't buy any of it. They're pretty obvious. It is suitable habitat if there's a food source handy (within 100 feet give or take).

New builds have the options of wood treated to better prevent termites but those of us in older dwellings are almost always at risk, mulch or no mulch. Dampness in a basement or crawlspace or a leak in the roof will cause decay and draw termites. I don't know actual population statistics for termites but it should be safe to assume we're outnumbered. Prevention is key, most sources I've read over the years suggest keeping mulch from contacting house siding and that's almost a no-brainer. Doesn't so much matter if the siding is vinyl or aluminum either, it what's behind it. I've seen recommendations that mulch be kept from the foundation of the house and with the right plantings that's easy to accomplish while still enjoying the benefits and aesthetic appeal mulches can provide.

I bought my house a number of years ago, it's still a fixer-upper. It had clearly been treated for termites (the drill holes in the concrete were the giveaway). 2-3 years in I noticed interior activity and I called the biggest, most well-known outfit there is. I had extensive damage that ended up costing well above the costly treatment. No mulch, except for my one little daylily bed against the house which had been mulched for the first time weeks prior. Oh, I had mulched the flowers but not the bed as I was still fighting farm grade weeds where I'd planted my precious bloomers. Sales rep was quick to condemn my mulch as a "culprit". Same company that has a new ad campaign using music from a song titled "Hell's Bells" to sell the scare. Several years later I still receive "special offers" 3 to 5 times a month to keep that money rolling in. I hired a local guy, licensed with 15 years in it to "maintain my bugs" for a reasonable fee. No phone calls, no junk mail, no scare tactics. I have peace of mind and happily mulch at will.

I've rambled enough for now. I will make an ATP blog post about mulch and years of experiences with different types. Pros and cons etc. Different types, when buildup needs removal. But in regard to the stuff Frank posted about to begin with? It's basic hardwood mulch with a "supposedly/reportedly" plant safe stain/dye. I've used it, had no ill side effects and it does break down better than some other "mulches". Not a better price on a similar product out there. Not my choice for an entire property but I'm in a business where people feel ripped off when the sun does what the sun does best. When that top layer of hardwood is bleaching out, the good stuff underneath is usually getting better. I like to amend with topsoil and peat as well, another topic for the blog post.

Hello @Wes, maybe you can answer a question for me please, please.

When I bought a house (an old, used house) the first thing we did was fixed it including digging out the old foundation plantings and putting new soil, new plants, new mulch.
A month later here comes the 'regular guy' to spray the house for the life-time follow-up treatment for termites which was contracted by the previous owners (yep, we were the famous gullible 'first-time buyers' who had no clue!)

Anyway, my later research informed me that once the termite treatment is applied into the soil around the foundation of a house, we are NOT supposed to dig or we ruin the effect of the termiticide (is that the right word?).

So here is my question: did my gardening efforts with the foundation plantings negate the work of 'the termite guy'?

(I don't live there anymore; this question is just for my peace of mind and so others can learn from my mistakes.)

This is what we're dealing with in my area, though I don't know anyone so far who has an infestation.

http://www.foxnews.com/science...

"Paul Nester, a program specialist with Texas A&M’s Agrilife Extension Services, provides Houston area homeowners with tips on how they can protect their homes from the ants. He suggests removing mulch, potted plants and wood piles where the ant can thrive."

Remove WHAAAAT??

@Greene,

That one I can't answer 100%, I let my chemical license lapse years ago, I only sparingly use glyphosate on a regular basis. I do know treatment for termites around a foundation is typically a soil treatment. But they drive it in deep, I watched the Big T folks treat my place. I would think what you replaced for bedding plants? I mean, you didn't use an excavator and dig the foundation? I think it would depend on the exact chemical and method of delivery, I used a spray years ago for a client that would have certainly been altered, if not negated by extensive soil removal but re-treatment wouldn't be a huge issue. Cost would depend on the applicator/salesman. The smell? I ditched my paper mask and went and got a respirator mask, I was afraid that insecticide ( termiticide is correct) was going kill everything it touched including myself. (it didn't). Maybe $100 for 2 gallons at the time and could've treated 2 houses (and out buildings). Primarily a topical spray, IIRC we did dig at the base of the foundation.

If that was the type treatment the previous owners had used (pretty much what I receive now) It's possible that you removed enough treatment to render it moot. Simple enough to re-apply and not terribly expensive. If you sold the house and the new owners ended up with termites it's well beyond your control. The house I have was clearly treated and the treatment either failed or hadn't had good follow-up. The only reason I pay for any such service now is due to replacing beams to hold the house up. The house will outlive me, bugs or not.

I'll consult my bug guy. Very conservative, low-key sort. I never get the impression that he considers his work an absolute necessity and I relate to that more than a scare tactic. Once my "warranty" period from Big T died they've been relentless for sales. I don't do business that way, I don't do business with folks who do their business that way. Guess that's why I didn't renew my health insurance, LOL.

But again I will consult my bug guy. My piques my curiosity. If every homeowner in America needs treatment and follow-up I could be rich and far from famous. I hate those moments of greed!

@Wes, thanks for that info. I watched some local termite guys doing the soil application and they had stuck a wand about 2 feet into the soil around the foundation to apply the chemicals. So yes, I did excavate about 2 feet when I renovated the landscaping - oops.

For myself personally, I am beyond caring about termites. Termites are a fact of life and, in the forest, they are necessary beings with a job to do. But because I was a young, ignorant home buyer, and learned 'the hard way', I would like to help the younger people who are currently shopping to buy homes to avoid making the same mistakes.

I am happy that you are almost chemical free. Good for you.

greene said:@Wes, thanks for that info. I watched some local termite guys doing the soil application and they had stuck a wand about 2 feet into the soil around the foundation to apply the chemicals. So yes, I did excavate about 2 feet when I renovated the landscaping - oops.

For myself personally, I am beyond caring about termites. Termites are a fact of life and, in the forest, they are necessary beings with a job to do. But because I was a young, ignorant home buyer, and learned 'the hard way', I would like to help the younger people who are currently shopping to buy homes to avoid making the same mistakes.

I am happy that you are almost chemical free. Good for you.

@Greene, You did a good thing (posting your experience, LOL). Believe me, I learn a lot the hard way. I'm with you on the termites, bugs in general for that matter. I have a neighbor that worries about grub worms. I consider them a sign of a thriving lawn and landscape? But in saying that I have to admit witnessing infestations that have done to lawns what termites do to wooden structures. If I dig in a lawn and flowerbed and don't find grubs something bigger is wrong.

Even though I pay for some "maintenance" I have plenty of good bugs. Whatever gets applied has not affected my large population of wolf spiders and praying mantis is a garden regular. I don't want my house eaten, beyond that I don't care about bugs.

Rural life almost dictates some chemical use. I don't grow flowers or edibles in my gravel driveway, and in providing landscape/maintenance services it's a necessary evil. It's not my favorite thing, it's a compromise. I'm not a huge fan of fertilizers but I'd be a liar to say "I don't". Most things I plant/grow/recommend really don't need much attention in that area but when they do? I do it. It's not that common a true need. One of the oldest gardening tricks I learned by watching and personal trial and error is amending the planting bed with fresh, happy dirt. Cost is negligible, labor as well. A little here, a little there and it's all done soon enough.

For the love of Peat... You never want to unload those trucks from Canada by hand, those 4' bales are some kind of gold though.

But back on topic, I'm a believer in mulch beyond the aesthetic. Some are better choices than others. Regional variances apply but that's all the same in the long run. Back to the termites? OK, I do see one area of concern and that's with collecting/utilizing fresh cut trees run through a chipper. If the tree(s) had rot/termites existing you might very well import an unwelcome family to your residence and support their bad habit by use of their habitat.

But again, they're pretty obvious. Gardeners dig and divide/transplant frequently. Not all winged ants are bad but you're surely going to take notice. Borrowed internet pic, any search engine will produce more if there's any question.

Finding termites doesn't suggest you've got an infestation. No cause for alarm or immediate action. The fact that you've found them proves you're alive on planet Earth enjoying the riches she provides.




edit for SP

And back on track...

Thanks Frank!

I went with this mulch for my Mom's place. I simply couldn't beat the price. Similar product (stained brown hardwood) was $40/yd. in bulk (retail) taxed OTD in my pickup bed. Used my Lowes card (that I keep a zero balance on most of the time) and got 25 2' bags loaded for under $51. They knocked off the tax at .10 a bag for using their card. Sadly I was throwing 3 bags to every 2 the young employees were handling, not much to say about the work ethic of today's youngsters...

FWIW the "regular" mulch folks I've dealt with for 20 years have knocked all bagged product down to 1.2' "gas station" bags. I remember 3' bags being the "standard". Difficult to man-handle, especially when soaking wet. Just like the old school 4' bales of peat, the bag gets smaller and the price wins a little more every year.

This was a bargain. 1.85 cubic yards for $51, no complaints here! I've used it before and for the price I'm very pleased. And the beds will look good and the plants a little happier.

@Wes We got in on that same deal but without the tax savings earlier this spring. One word of caution, the dye in this brand stained my shirt and jeans pretty badly. I am still trying to get the black out of my jeans. Maybe the brown won't be so bad? Have fun!

ShadyGreenThumb said:@Wes We got in on that same deal but without the tax savings earlier this spring. One word of caution, the dye in this brand stained my shirt and jeans pretty badly. I am still trying to get the black out of my jeans. Maybe the brown won't be so bad? Have fun!

Other than a few dress clothes, it's all expendable. I've mentioned the red stained stuff once, clown hands. Bad, very bad. Have many gloves, rarely use them...

I do appreciate and respect your timely advice !

My neighbor bought that red painted mulch a few years ago, had a load dumped in his driveway. The mulch was spread within a day or two, but the stain on the driveway remains years later.

Karen

I had 4 bags of black mulch from Lowe's left over. They sat on the driveway for a month before I could get to them. I had them lined up vertically so that the car would roll right over them. I think I have to get the bleach out and hopefully the sun will help get the rectangle stains out. I guess there is something to that local message we got about the black dye, at least.

http://www.ktrh.com/onair/gard...

I buy bulk because I need 28 cu. yds. every year.

That's a lot of mulch!

It is. It took 5 days to get it spread, but the benefits outweigh the pain/expense...

Whoa! That is an expanse of mulch. So beautiful, <sigh> and no mowing.

But I couldn't stand all that empty mulched space for a day . . . would fill it up with shrubs, trees and perennials in a heartbeat.

That has to be one of the neatest looking gardens I have ever seen! It is so pretty I would be tempted not to plant anything. But then I would, still I would love to have retaining walls like that.

dyzzypyxxy said:I couldn't stand all that empty mulched space for a day . . . would fill it up with shrubs, trees and perennials in a heartbeat.

LOL!!! The 'empty space' is the melon patch, it will be covered in short order with watermelon, honeydew, nutmeg & Persian melons.

A 3-4" layer of mulch not only keeps the weeding to a minimum, but helps in providing a very even moisture level that is essential for production of both the vegetables & the melons (no splitting).

Great use of that space. I have never mulched my raised garden, other than covering up the garlic with leaves during winter. Perhaps I should do that, since I am having all my landscape mulched today, 10 yds. worth.

Now that it is the end of the gardening season ...for most of us , it would be nice to hear an update on the mulch

What would you do differently ?
or what has been learned that could be passed on to others?

And for the title (Frank) bag or bulk?

During fall clean-up, I invariably have the same 'note to self' - top dress heavier next season! The few times I have actually laid out the recommended 3-4 inches after spring clean-up has resulted in much easier growing season maintenance and fall clean-up. Don't be stingy with the mulch!

I use a bulk composted mix - 14 yards delivered - from a local family owned supplier. They do their own composting on site, and I've been pleased with their product. The down side for me is deciding on a storage spot, as it takes me a couple months to get it all spread out. In my perfect world, I'd have some sort of a 3-sided enclosure tucked among mature firs on the far side of my driveway. Maybe a winter project...

I've never compared price/quality to bagged, but would be curious to find what those who go that route have to say.