Termites and yard mulch

[1886nut]

Anybody know anything about termites? I'm in SC. Spent the holiday lugging 1500 lbs of edging bricks home from Loews and laying them out, now I'm looking for something to fill up the flowerbeds with. I don't want pinestraw, its color doesnt last and wastes money (I dont have any pine trees myself) replenishing it 4-5 times a year.

I was thinking about river rocks or small pebbles, but these are $150 per cubic yard from the local supplier, and I'd need 4-5 cubic yards at least. They also have pine bark and various wood mulches, none of which are cedar but are dyed different colors. Some of them say "hardwood" but are not specific.

Are these safe to put up against the house, or will they attract termites? I like the big chips of pine bark most of all.

Information

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[Bob Womack]

According to my termite guy, the wood chips attract and house the termites nicely, conveniently next to your house.

Bob

[0311Shooter]

Have fought armies of termites. Was told that, mainly in the South, that all homes have termites "passing though". The secret is not to let them find a home (YOUR home).

The way they come in and stay is to allow them to come into your home and return to the soil to get water. So, do not let them have that pathway. Do not allow the wood in your home to make contact with the soil.

So, to me, I would not pile up any type of wood against the house.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Shooter is correct,

The most important thing to do in the south is to keep wood out of contact with the ground. Common termites have to return to the ground every few hours. You want at least a foot of area with no wood of any kind from touching your house or foundation.

The cedar chips will work for a while, but would need to be removed and replaced on a very regular basis. Cedar repels many insects such as moths in a cedar closet, but even cedar chips can actually attract termites over time when they lose their resins in outside conditions and just become wood mulch.
(Mmmm 'tasty' for termites)

[1886nut]

Thanks guys.

I guess I'll go with the small river rocks. They are more than twice as much, but will last a lifetime anyway.

About half the people in my subdivision have mulch up against their houses. Not good.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I think you're doing the best thing Kragnut. You'll actually save money with the small river rocks in a short time as apposed to wood chips that will wash away in our southern storms and decompose to nothing.
Plus I feel the river rocks look much nicer.

[davpet]

I'm using rubber mulch from lowes $9/bag, or Wally world $7/bag....go w/ the dark brown if you like or the "reddish" ....the stuff I got orriginally from Lowes was stringy and looked just like shredded wood, subsequent bags were smaller chunks...blended in well so I don't care... It is soft and looks sharp.

best regards,

Dave

[Dave]

I have read that any wood (like fire wood) should not be stored near your house, tremite control people in Ill recommend a minumin distance ( I forgot what it is, something like 50 -100 ft. They will only travel a certain distance from their nests. However to think any wood in your house being isolated from the ground, is a cure is incorrect. Termites will build tunnels up foundation walls to get to the wood, made from dirt, they will look like they were made by "mud dauber" wasps. If your house is built on a slab or has a crawl space these will be on the inside of the foundation. They will also find routes up thru the inside of concrete blocks.

[1886nut]

I'm using rubber mulch from lowes $9/bag, or Wally world $7/bag....go w/ the dark brown if you like or the "reddish" ....the stuff I got orriginally from Lowes was stringy and looked just like shredded wood, subsequent bags were smaller chunks...blended in well so I don't care... It is soft and looks sharp.

best regards,

Dave

Hows that rubber mulch holding up color and smell wise? Any sign of termite interest? Thats about the same price as the rocks from my local gravel yard but looks a hell of a lot better.

[JB White]

I don't live in an area with a termite problem, but any insect species is annoying when they take up residence in numbers.
I used anti-weed matting and covered that with crushed limestone. If you like the white look.........? I know some dont at all and river gravel does look "better" at least to my eye. However it may cost much less so it may be worth looking into.
I would still recomend the weed mat though. Allows water through but smothers growth. Just X cut wherever you decide to plant. Doesn't cost much and certainly keeps the headaches down to a minimum.

I appreciate hearing of the termite/cedar chip scenario.


Dave, I hadn't thought of rubber mulch. Another good idea.
Does it smell at all in bright sunlight?