Mulch is a commonly used product that homeowners use for landscaping purposes. It is fairly cheap, easy to maintain, and looks good in comparison to rampant weeds. At Arceneaux Pest, we have personally witnessed the potentially costly repercussions of placing mulch too close to your home. Keep reading below to find out how you could potentially save hundreds to thousands of dollars by simply removing mulch and keeping an eye out for termites. Mulch and termites are just good for each other. Not good for your house, though. 

Mulch And Termites: Why The Love?

There are many misconceptions about the correlation between termites and mulch, but the truth is that termites are attracted to mulch because it’s a source of cellulose (wood) that termites eat. Mulch is typically used for landscaping to keep the environment moist, which allows for great growing conditions for flowers, trees, shrubs, and more. The moisture also provides a great environment for termites as well, unfortunately. This ideal habitat and source of food allows termites to explore by making mud tunnels onto your home’s foundation. Mulch is basically saying to termites, “Come eat at my house!” Mulch definitely attracts termites next to your home, which allows them to then enter your home and cause damage to your walls or wood floors. Mulch and termites are a real nightmare for homeowners.

Solutions

If you currently have mulch as a landscaping element or were planning to use some in the near future, don’t fret! There are many paths you can take to try to prevent infestation.

1. Avoid All Wood Mulch. There is no such things as a “good” or “safe” wood mulch. All wood mulches will attract termites. Even mulch that claims to be treated loses the “treatment” once it’s been rained on two or three times. Rubber mulch or decorative rocks are your best choice. Rubber mulch is more expensive, but it lasts for years and doesn’t wash away, and termites don’t want to eat it.
2. Remove Mulch. If you would rather avoid any risk associated with mulch, you can completely remove any mulch from your premises. If this seems like too hefty of a task, you can also move the mulch to be 12 inches or more from your home’s foundation. This will prevent easy access to your house.
3. Long-term Termite Prevention. If you own a slab home, keep your slab foundation visible (at least four inches). Have your home properly treated by Arceneaux Pest and have thorough annual termite inspections performed, so that you can sleep with peace of mind.

As they say, it is better to be safe than sorry. Especially when the sorry could cost thousands of dollars. Contact us today.

The Termites Won’t Wait, So Neither Should You

Termite season is here. If you are looking for a pest management service that provides quality service, has certified exterminators, provides a termite damage warranty, and has state-of-the-art equipment, Arceneaux Pest is for you. Whether mulch and termites are getting together in your yard or you’ve seen them swarming, call us at 225-791-9911 or contact us for more information.