Wood Chip Mulch Termites

There is also the separate question of whether technically speaking mulch actually draws termites to your land.

Wood chip mulch termites.

Termites can be found in similar numbers beneath bark wood gravel and rubber mulch though fresh wood chips may have the added attraction of providing a food source. Folks assume that because termites eat wood only wood mulches present a problem. Termites typically pre exist deep underground in moist environments. Actually there is no difference between organic mulch and for example crushed granite as a mulch.

Melaleuca mulch considered termite resistant melaleuca mulch repels these pests. Termite expert chip prevatt points out that by mulching the landscaped areas around your property you create the perfect environment for termites to live eat and thrive. The hospitable conditions beneath mulch likely accounted for the termite foraging activity. Mulch typically dries out enough that it is not a conducive environment for termites to build a nest.

They can be found in similar numbers beneath bark wood gravel and rubber mulch though fresh wood chips may have the added attraction of providing a food source. This result suggests that although we routinely discover termites in wood chip mulch it is unlikely that they feed heavily on organic wood based mulches. Even if a few termites were to survive the wood chipper they wouldn t last very long since they re separated from their colony. The insects don t eat it and they don t like to live under it.

But mulch does not cause termites. In case the area was infected by termites remember. You won t have to give up using wood chips or bark in your flowerbeds either. Infestations caused by mulch and termites are simple to avoid.

And termites don t typically thrive in mulch piles. Their job is to decompose the limbs and stumps you are too busy to remove. They tunnel through the earth to find woody food products for their food. In the field termites were detected with equal frequency beneath mulches of eucalyptus hardwood pine bark and pea gravel and bare uncovered soil.

The mulch made of wooden chips can attract termites as they like cellulose. There are several kinds of termite resistant mulch used for landscaping such as. That s why before organizing the area around your building it is worth thinking about tools you use. Wood chips don t attract termites termites are an integral part of nature.

Sustained activity over time was significantly higher beneath gravel mulch. Termites in mulch piles are possible only if the pile is constantly kept very moist. As if that wasn t enough termites that feed on mulch have a lower rate of survival when compared to a termite that feeds on solid wood.