Mulch and Termites

SkyKero · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: Mulch and Termites

I was told yesterday if you put mulch near your house you can invite the termites to your house. Also did some research on the web

(Mulch I have is free from my county -- garbage turned into mulch -- with bits of wood and such in it)

With this said -- what can I put near the house -- to prevent it from getting dirty when the rain hits the dirt -- I am planting some ferns near the house -- 2 feet away -- to give enough room. What can I put around them? Can I get away with that nice soil+compost(KOW& Mushroom for now)?

Thanks,

Silvai

bullthistle · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject:

I hope they don't sell/give away garbage as mulch or you'll have a rat problem. Mulch does attract termites if your house hasn't been treated so why not go with pine needles which is also wood of sorts but less attractive and it will decompose and amend your soil.

rainbowgardener · Mod Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 2248 Location: Ohio

Alternatively you can just lay down gravel for the first few inches next to your house. It doesn't have to be very wide and you aren't going to plant in those inches anyway. The gravel would just be for drainage and weed control.

SkyKero · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:36 am Post subject: -- composted trash --

I should have clarified.

Thanks for the advice! I think I may use the gravel -- I hope that will help with that EVIL... english ivy --- I will post pictures soon on the work I have done! -- I should have taken before pictures -- but I forgot Sad