Where Does Your Mulch Come From?

You may want to check with the companies that you hire to do your mulched beds this year, to make sure they know where the mulch they use is coming from. Or, if you buy your own mulch, be very careful about buying mulch it. After the hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowes at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem...Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags.

New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country were the Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends that own homes to avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from.

For more information on Formosan termites, visit: www.agctr.lsu.edu/en/environment/insects/Termites

It is also a good idea to get a termite inspection this year. We recommend having your home inspected every year, but it sounds like this year it will be even more important. If you need a referral to a reputable termite company, just give me a call, 425-308-3669, or drop me a note. I am happy to help!