Wood Mulch Attracts Termites – Yes, It Would!

A mulch is usually an organic matter that is placed around plants to prevent the growth of weeds.  It can also be used for moisture retention, for the prevention of the freezing of roots, improve aesthetics of a landscape, reduce soil erosion, and stabilize soil temperature.

Inorganic mulches are man made and may come from plastics, recycled rubber, bricks, stones, pebbles, etc.  Organic mulches may be made of compost, hay & straw, leaves, sawdust, layers of bark, wood chips and shavings, straw, hay and many more. 

Wood mulch falls under the organic mulches classification.  Wood mulch may be made out of any of the following – grass clippings, wood chips & shavings, sawdust, waste wood, chunk bark, shredded hardwood, chunk pine, etc. 

When one is looking for the best mulch to use, it couldn’t be answered effectively without knowing the intended purpose for such.  Each type of mulch will have different benefits it can give. 

Hay & straw are best for vegetable gardens, leaves for aesthetics, crushed stones are ideally used for permanent plantings, pecan shells for aesthetics – and wood mulch for effective retention of soil moisture . 

If you should go with wood mulch, among its other benefits are keeping soil in ideal temperatures on varied climates.  It is very attractive and ideal for perennial plantings and around evergreens.  Its downsides though include having high toxicity, if stored improperly by manufacturers. This creates what is called a sour mulch. It actually kills the plants where it is applied.  Also, you may have heard that wood mulch attracts termites, and you wonder if this is true.

The answer is yes - wood mulch attracts termites. It can be very well a target for these pests to feed upon and feast upon.  Wood mulch attracts termites since it is highly rich in cellulose, which these pests love to eat.

Termite treatment on the soil around your house, addresses the issue that wood mulch attracts termites, and that could perhaps pose a higher risk for termite infestation in your house as well.  Also, always keep wood mulch away from the walls of your house.

Wood mulch answers to both functionality and aesthetic purposes. Although it also has its limitations, it can provide you with a good option for your mulching needs.  The best way for your wood mulch may be one of cypress, redwood, and pine.  Don’t use wood mulch coming from diseased plants.  These may already be infested, or if not, such wood mulch attracts termites more – and you wouldn’t want that to happen.