As long as the area isn't over mulched (3" depth is what we typically recommend), isn't abutting wood exterior and/or isn't over watered and retaining moisture for long periods of time, you should be okay. I also typically suggest using a mulch other than cedar.
Termite Problems
For this reason, it's not always the best idea to lay mulch right next to your home's foundation. It can give the termites a launching pad from the safety of the mulch right into your home. Of course, there are also types of wood mulch that prevent termites, such as cypress and cedarwood.
Cedar mulch has natural properties that can deter termites and other pests due to its aromatic oils. While no mulch type is completely termite-proof, cedar is generally considered less attractive to termites compared to other types of mulch, such as hardwood or untreated wood mulch.
The best mulch for plants is probably double ground hardwood bark. As it decomposes it improves the soil dramatically.
Having mulch around the concrete or foundation of a home is generally not harmful. In fact, it can provide benefits such as moisture retention, weed suppression, and aesthetic enhancement. However, it's important to ensure proper installation and maintenance to avoid potential issues.
The damp environment created by mulch and wood chips lures termites to explore the area. They create mud tunnels, seeking out sources of food such a tree roots, landscaping timbers and your home. The presence of mulch provides a convenient cover for these activities.
Avoid placing mulch in low-lying areas or areas that tend to collect water. Mulch absorbs and retains moisture, leading to waterlogged soil and root rot. Although this is a spot where you should not put mulch, sometimes your garden has conflicting needs.
It's best used on slow-growing plants, trees, and shrubs but not in vegetable gardens. The wood adds much-needed nutrients to the soil. The color and scent of cedar discourage some insects from hanging out in the yard. It repels moths, carpet beetles, cockroaches, termites, and certain kinds of ants, for example.
It kind of depends on the type of rock or mulch, how thick you lay it on, etc. But, weeds can come up through either. Rock is more expensive but is basically permanent; mulch, you have to redo every year or so. Depending on where you live, you might end up with more bugs, if you have mulch.
Avoid using mulch and large rocks in your landscape, as they attract snakes and their prey and can create breeding and overwintering habitat. Instead, use smaller, tight-fitting rock such as gravel or river rock. Also avoid landscaping with water gardens and Koi ponds.
Any wood-based mulch is safe for your dog. Pine, cedar, and cypress are probably the three of the most popular mulch options and they should all be dog-friendly.
Gravel (and other rocks) act as barriers that shun rain and other forms of precipitation away from a building's foundation. Another benefit of using rock for drainage is that exposed rock absorbs the heat from sunlight more than other materials like mulch. Rock then radiates this heat at night.
Cedar chips repel insects due to the chemicals they release.
With cedar chips installed in your landscape beds, you will enjoy an outdoor area with minimal pest invasion. In addition to warding off pests, the natural oils present in cedar chips also emit a pleasant aroma.
Many people choose cedar sided homes for their beauty alone. But deciding to use cedar siding for your home has many other benefits. The aromatic oils that occur naturally in the wood make cedar a long-lasting material, resistant to rot and toxic to insects.
Cedar is a reddish mulch that is made of the harder wood and bark of redcedar trees and is known for its distinctive aroma. This mulch naturally resists decay, giving it 3 to 5 years of staying power in your home landscape.
Cedar's superpower to combat unwanted bugs, snakes and rodents lies in its distinctive and pleasant earthy smell. The wood is actually emitting aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) and acids that act as natural pesticides.
But if you wish to use mulch near your foundation and are unsure as to how to proceed, the best short answer is this: To be on the safe side, leave a 1-foot-wide swath of ground mulch-free all along your foundation and make sure door and window frames do not touch the mulch.
Wood chips placed around the foundation of a home that already has termites creates a literal buffett for these wood-eating insects. Inorganic mulches are much less likely to attract above-ground pests, though they can create soil conditions that are favorable to below-ground pests.
It's not necessary to remove the old mulch from your landscape beds because it's made up of organic material, and it will decompose over time. Since it will break down on its own, it's fine to just add the new mulch on top of it.
Water in the soil around a home puts pressure on the foundation that can cause cracks, leaks, and structural damage.
For small gaps, you can use caulk or expanding foam. Apply the material to the gap and allow it to dry for the amount of time specified by the manufacturer. This method is ideal for gaps that are less than ½ inch wide. You may need to use a concrete patching compound for larger or more significant gaps.