Infected Mulch:Get the Truth

There is a rumor going around the internet that cheap mulch can be infected with Formosan termites. The story suggests that after Hurricane Katrina hit and the cleanup w

First myth is that the termites colony would survive the chopping: termites need a queen and support system. The mulch making process would make it extremely unlikely that the lone termite would find others. Additionally the termites need to lay and hatch eggs in a climate that is far warmer than you will find in the middle or northern zones.

The myth was started by a piece put out by Louisiana University that suggests that some wood and timber used by the building industry could be contaminated, and should be inspected carefully. The Dept of Agriculture has put out a statement confirming its strategy for controlling the Formosan termites, including the quarantine requirements. They have also inspected the large stores who sell mulch cheaply and thus are the targets of the emails. No evidence for infected wood/mulch has been found.

Please check your local county extension sites for complete details about the hoax - many of them explain in detail the life cycle of the termite and have a statement regarding this email.

If you have further questions, please contact me and I will send you somelinks.

©Text by Kate Copsey, March, 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.