Termites

It's mulching season again and many people are concerned with termites that attract to wood.  Actually termites are already in your yard the wood mulch just gives them a place to live.

Termites can't live in a pile of mulch it ends up drying out and they will die.  Termites like moist areas and mulch once in your garden bed creates the moisture for the termites to be active. 

Should you do stone then over mulch?  Not necessary, rock could possibly allow the area to be less moist but it is still a good hiding place for termites and other insects.

What can you do to prevent termites from entering your home?

• Buffer:  When placing anything in the garden bed directly next to your siding make sure to put nothing within a foot of your foundation, leave it dirt.
• Don't put wood hardy plants directly next to your home, place dainty flowers.
• If you have mulch next to the house, keep it dry and leave it on 2" thick or less.
• Don't allow wood to pile up on the ground next to your house.
• Bark mulches are less favorable to termites but still could become a source of food.

When looking for termites

• Do you see tiny wings places near your home?  Once termites find away into your home and start their eating process they will dispose of their wings.
• Are you finding wood damage?
• Do you see mud tubes near trees, sheds or footing of house?
• If you have a crawl space, rafters or exposed wood under your house, go to it with a screw driver and give it a little push.  If the wood falls out or your screw driver sinks in then you have wood damage.