Termites LOVE cardboard. Did you know that termite researchers use cardboard feeding stations to lure termites? And cardboard is often used as the “control” in feeding studies, because termites will always eat it? People seem to think that wood chips are termite magnets.
You'll need cardboard, mulch and/or organic matter, and manure (but that's optional). At a minimum, you just need enough cardboard to cover the earth and enough mulch to cover the cardboard. From the there the sky is the limit: You can pile up as many layers of manure and organic matter as you want.
Termites were found to prefer cardboard over wood chips as a food source, and rodents such as voles often nest underneath mulch sheets. 2) Newspaper and cardboard sheet mulches were often not as effective as other organic mulches (e.g. wood chips or bark) in preventing weed growth or improving yield.
Cellulose Materials
In fact, termites will typically only eat the wood inside of a structure for the cellulose material it contains. This, unfortunately, means that any plant-based materials that contain cellulose, such as cardboard boxes, paper or even leaves, could attract termites.
Cedar Mulch – An aromatic mulch made from cedar wood chips, which naturally repel termites. Pine Bark Mulch – Made from pine bark and has a strong scent that deters termites. Rubber Mulch – Made from recycled rubber and is a great choice for termite prevention. It is also long-lasting and easy to maintain.
IF you have wood chips in your garden or in a pile that DO have termites in them do NOT spray it with insecticide! Not only will you create a toxic growing material you will also kill all of the beneficial organisms that are vital to process of decomposition of wood chips into compost.
It's extremely rare for termites to be present in bagged mulch brought in from big box stores or from commercial companies, as termites rarely survive the wood shredding process. Instead, termites live in the soil, and then seek out food sources. Mulch simply provides conditions that help them thrive.
Yes, roots can grow through cardboard, but only in certain conditions. 'Firstly, the cardboard must be moist enough to allow the roots to penetrate it. Second, the cardboard should be placed in a place where there is no light or air circulation,' Melody says.
Cardboard and Paper Concerns
The glue used in cardboard boxes can contain chemicals, but the glue used to form the cardboard itself is derived from starches found in plants like rice, wheat, potatoes, and other tubers. This is perfectly safe to use in your garden and will eventually decompose.
In more typical garden conditions — when a piece of cardboard is used as mulch or specifically shredded and soaked to decompose efficiently — biodegradation occurs quickly, with the majority of cardboard completely broken down within three months.
It's not impossible to find termites in a bag of mulch, but it's not likely they would survive for long or even be alive once the bag is opened. A termite has a slim chance of surviving the chipping process that is used to create bagged mulch.
The good news is that no, mulch does not “cause” termites. First, it's highly unlikely for termites to spread via infested bags of mulch. While it is possible to find termites in a bag of mulch, it is rare. Furthermore, it's doubtful that these termites would even survive long living in the mulch bags.
Sheet mulching with cardboard is an inexpensive way to remove a lawn that does not require chemical application or sheets of plastic. A single layer of cardboard is laid out over the areas of lawn no longer needed. When it eventually breaks down, the cardboard will add carbon back into the soil.
A layer of cardboard left in place for a season smothers out grass and weeds, creating a ready-made garden plot, no tilling required. It's free, and you can feel great about reusing a product that would otherwise go to waste.
“A properly applied layer of mulch is enough to keep weed seeds in the dark,” Rusty said. “You don't need a layer of fabric to shade them out.”
Cardboard takes approximately 2 months to decompose. However, instead of sending your boxes to the landfill consider adding them to your recycling or your compost pile. Cardboard breaks down fairly quickly when exposed to the elements, but stacks of cardboard can take years to decompose.
Also, earthworms are very attracted to the cardboard and are great for the garden, since their movement through soil increases aeration, nutrient cycling, and water infusion. The earthworm 'castings' manure (worm poop) provides an organic type of fertilizer that offers many beneficial nutrients for plants.
Cardboard is susceptible to moisture and humidity and attractive to many types of insects. Use plastic bins with lockable lids. Not only are these more secure, but using clear boxes allows you to see what is stored inside and can reduce the number of times you are opening and closing them when not in use.
Completely cover the ground with the cardboard except where there are plants that you plan to keep. Wet down the cardboard as you go to keep it in place and to shape it around obstacles. Add a weed barrier that is permeable to water and air, cardboard boxes are ideal.
Depending on how and where the cardboard is made, it can contain a long list of chemicals and glue compounds, both of which can leach into the soil. Add to that, many cardboard products also contain man-made ink compounds that can also soak into the soil as well.
It Is Okay To Put Mulch Around Your House? Yes, it is okay to put mulch around your house provided that it's resistant to termites. Also, when using mulch for landscaping, ensure that you leave some space that's about six inches away from the house.
But, generally, using organic mulch made from wood chips or bark will be the best choice. It's one of the easiest and least expensive ways to ensure the long-term health and fertility of your soil and the health of your trees and shrubs.
Stones and rocks, including gravel, are the best materials to put around your foundation. These rocks are not only more appealing, but they are durable, versatile, and the best way to move water away from your home. Water drains most efficiently in gravel so you can prevent pooling.