Will putting wood mulch next to your house for landscaping cause termites?
Answers:
I am not concerned about what anyone says to the contrary about this but.. WITHOUT DOUBT... it will create a termite problem. I had experience long ago and since then, I have been encouraging people to keep wood-tykpe mulches AWAY from the house and particularly the foundation of houses. YET.. they(people) will use wood mulch so I am assuming they love termites.
Cellulose (especially wood) is the main food source for subterranean termites. In nature, termites feed on dead wood, including roots and stumps. Around homes, termites readily feed on wood mulch used in landscaping. However, any type of mulch provides termites with needed moisture and protection from the elements. In homes, termites often first attack wood that is located close to the soil (i.e., lower parts of the house). They then can follow the framework of the house to gain access to upper levels and floors. As they feed, they excavate galleries in the wood. Termites also can tunnel through inedible materials such as foam insulation, plaster board, etc. as they search for food.
Other answers:
It wont cause termite but it sure might attract them.
It wont cause termite but it sure might attract them.
it might not cause a problem, but there's a good chance that it will.
I have heard of this. Make sure it is cedar mulch they don't like it.
I have heard that the some wood mulch from New orleans has termites in it from the hurricane or something and that is spreading around the U.S.A.
might, use rocks instead, cooler in summer.
I t wont whiney YOU
Wood mulch is a free all you can eat buffet for termites. I see your ID is "cubbiefan" ... so I am guessing you live in the Chicago area. We are in Joliet and had to remove all of the mulch and railroad ties that the previous owners of our home had used for lanscaping, as they were FULL of termites!
Yes......Or So I've Heard.
I'm going to go with my husband's answer on this one. He's hell-bent against me putting our fireplace wood near the house at all because it will lead to problems, yet he insists upon mulching with cedar bark mulch, even in my herb garden, which is against the foundation of our house. When I asked, he said that the termites do not like cedar, and that the mulch is not a problem. He's a carpenter, and has been a homeowner for too many years than he cares to remember. He's not steered me wrong yet (well there was that whole marriage thing, but that brings me less concern than termites and gardening issues).