mulch hoax part 2

A follow up to the mulch hoax. As stated last week, the hoax related to cheap mulch being shipped complete with Formosan termites, to a large store near you. Profes

The Formosan termite, (Coptotermes formosanus):

This termite is currently listed as the most problematic pest in Louisiana, but it cannot live everywhere in the USA. Steve Jacobs, Pennsylvania's State Urban Entomologist, states "About the northern extreme seems to be about 35 degrees N, say Memphis'. This line runs approximately from the southern end of Virginia across the country to California. It should be noted though that the high mountains will be too cold, and some western areas could be north of the 35 latitude yet still be susceptible. Critical to survival seem to be that the eggs cannot survive below 68 degrees.

This termite also requires colonies to survive. "they would die quickly because of the lack of social system (workers, soldiers, reproductives, etc. present in the colony system that they maintain) so vital to termite survival" says Gary Bennett, Entomologist (Purdue University). Each colony has just one queen and one king.

Mulch

The process of making mulch would likely kill most anything alive. Dr. Ronald Shumack, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Head of the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University states that "a shrink-wrapped pallet of bagged mulch, high temperatures, limited air and diminished moisture represent a hostile environment for termite survival", he continues "I have never seen a case where termites have survived the grinding, screening, bagging and palletizing and shipping". However, if one did manage to get through and into a bag, it still would not have the queen to become more than a lone termite and thus could not survive.

It should be noted though, that the Formosan termite is only one of many species that can cause damage. Use common sense when placing wood piles and mulch around the home. All American gardeners should keep mulch at least one foot away from the foundation and be vigilant throughout the gardening season for evidence of problems.

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