Will Pine Bark Mulch Attract Termites?
Filed Under: Landscaping, Insects · Keywords: Pine Bark, Wood, Mulch, Attract, Cause, Termites · 2997 Views
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2 Answers
I prefer bark mulches over stone because the bark decomposes into rich organic matter that feeds the soil and your plants. I've been using wood mulches in countless landscapes for decades and have had absolutely no problems with termites. So, no need to worry...another urban myth dispelled!
Hope this was helpful and let us know if you need more details or have any other questions.
Brent)
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Robby Champion · Gardenality Seed · Zone 6A · -10° to -5° F
Thanks for the helpful response. I'd give that an A and an A+ for promptness. Glad to have my instructor's opinion confirmed: the bark mulch is ok near my brick home. Carpe diem!
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Landscape cloth used to keep weeds down works well in some situations but I'm not one that has ever liked using it throughtout my gardens. Over a period of time I have found the cloth to fill up with dust, dirt, and other debri not allowing good penetration of water, oxygen, and nutrients to my trees and shrubs. A layer of bark along with the cloth may suffocate some plants. The bark or mulch also decomposes on top of the cloth creating a humus-rich soil enough for weeds to grow in. After awhile you will most likely have to remove all the decomposed mulch and start over. Normally a two inch layer of bark will be enough to keep most weeds from gerninating and help to insulate the soil from drying out or freezing.
As Brent said, there is no evidence that termites use wood based mulches as a food source. Pine bark and other mulches doesn't provide much nutrition for termites, and without other nearby food sources they could not sustain a colony. Seeing this question regarding termites in mulch several times I did a little reseach to find out if there was any new evidence that wood mulches may be a problem. There are some subterranean termites that may use the moist conditions of mulch to protect themselves from extremes in temperature for a period of time but again the mulch will not sustain them without a larger source of food. It was found that pine bark only allowed the termites to survive between 10 and 14 weeks before dying off completely. Not only pine bark but these termites will just as easily for a period of time use beds that are mulched with other wood products, crushed stone, and pea gravel also that provide the moisture for a period of time.
I have friends that live in locations that have large infestations of termites and they have never found their using wood based mulches to ever attract or add to the termite populations. I'm sure if the wood based mulches were attracting termites and other insects most nurseries and companies providing these mulches would be inundated with complaints about any infestations.
Hopefully this has helped answer your question.
John)
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Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
You're right, John. I've owned and operated a nursery and garden center since 1989 and we have yet to get one single report that termites are eating pine bark. As I said in my answer, if pinebark were an attractive food source for termites then they'd eat all the bark and gardeners would have stopped using it long ago.
Robby Champion · Gardenality Seed · Zone 6A · -10° to -5° F
John, Thanks for your response. I need to re-think the landscaping cloth. I was excited that it said "permeable" on the package so thought it would an ideal addition to the bark mulch. Will at least keep it back from the new plants so they can breathe. I dont know the rating system (Is 3 highest or is 1 highest?) but this was very helpful info and confirms what my landscaping instructor told me about not overworrying about the pine bark mulch by my brick home. Thank you for the quick response, too, because I am working in the garden NOW. Carpe diem! RobbyC
Robby Champion · Gardenality Seed · Zone 6A · -10° to -5° F
Good point, Brent. If there were huge problems with the pine bark mulch it would be off the market by now. Thanks. Robby C.
Maple Tree · Gardenality Genius · Zone 10A · 30° to 35° F
You're very welcome. I too am using the day to enjoy my gardens. Our temperatures have been hot during a very long several years of drought. I awoke to a day of rain which was extremely surprising. A cool 90 degree cloudy day will make a nice day in the garden. As far as the rating system I'm assuming you are speaking of giving a thumbs up for questions and answers.
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