Gardening News & Tips

The need to use termite resistant mulch is to help you avoid termites in your garden.Mulch is also very important for your garden to keep weeds at bay, prevent the soil from overheating and protect the earth from water evaporation. However, many types of mulch tend to attract and feed colonies of termites and can pose a threat to your house and outbuildings if this occurs.

Two studies, Duryea et al. 1999; Duryea et al. 1999, investigated the potential hazards for termites in various types of mulches in the southern area of the United States. They looked at the activity of the dark southern subterranean termite and the eastern subterranean termite on six different types of mulch. These pests build nests underground at areas that provide plenty of food material. Of course, a garden with lots of wood mulch is just that type of place. What the studies revealed was both interesting and helpful to homeowners and gardeners alike.The study involved the collection of colonies of termites in the Gainesville, Florida area. The scientists wanted to find if not only the termites would consume wood mulch, but also whether they favored heartwood or sapwood and specific types of wood mulch.