Mulch can attract millipedes, centipedes, spiders, sowbugs, earwigs, ants, and even cockroaches crawling around in mulch beds. Many insects seek out the conditions that mulch naturally provides.
Cedar, Cypress, and Eucalyptus
Pest-resistant mulch is made from materials that naturally repel pests. Some examples of pest-resistant mulch include cedar, cypress, and eucalyptus. These materials contain natural oils that repel insects and other pests.
As another commenter said, just don't pile mulch up thickly against house. If you keep your gutters clean and make a point to not have sprinklers hitting too close to the house, the mulch (woody or leafy) stays fairly dry, which most insects find inhospitable.
If you have trees and bushes overhanging, touching the house, or blocking the sun from ever seeing the foundation, your pest population will increase. Houses, walls, foundations, and mulch need to dry out. If they are perpetually wet, the list of problems that causes goes well beyond just spiders.
Mulching can be an expensive landscaping choice in terms of both money and labor. You will need to use good quality soil that contains large amounts of organic matter when planting your garden bed after it has been mulched. In the long run, you will need to replenish some of the mulch from time to time.
While mulching in early fall is safe, you should never mulch during late fall. "This can insulate the ground and prevent plant dormancy," says Morrell. The much-needed hibernation helps plants survive the cold winter months.
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.
Black widow spiders prefer secluded and undisturbed outdoor habitats which are commonly found in a variety of locations around your property. Their webs are often situated in areas such as woodpiles where they can hide among the logs, or in areas with gravel, mulch, or loose bark which provide ample cover.
Spiders will live and thrive in yards, where plentiful food sources are available. Spiders will build their intricate webs throughout your yard, where other insects make their homes. Often, they will build webs very close to your door, because some of the insects they eat are attracted to your outdoor lights.
Incorporate Cedar Wood
Cedar acts as an excellent spider repellent. Incorporate as much cedar into your house as possible.
A common concern, however, is whether mulch attracts bugs. The reality is yes, but not in the way you might expect. Bugs aren't drawn to the mulch directly; rather, they find the environment it creates appealing.
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.
Remove sources of food, water and shelter. Store food in sealed plastic or glass containers. Garbage containing food scraps should be placed in tightly covered trash cans. Remove garbage regularly from your home.
Rub Citrus Peels Along the Windowsills: Spiders absolutely hate the smell of citrus. Rubbing the peels along your window sills, or just leaving a bowl of citrus fruit near the window, is a great deterrent. Use Peppermint Essential Oil: The strong smell of peppermint can keep spiders away.
Cedar and cypress mulch are two of the most popular types of mulch used in landscaping. Both materials have several benefits that make them ideal for use in gardens and yards. Cedar mulch is known for its pleasing smell and its ability to repel insects.
Spiders don't tolerate the smell of peppermint and will avoid every area where it is applied. You can also use eucalyptus oil to the same effect. Vinegar: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it directly onto any spiders you see.
Spiders trap flying insects in their webs. And while mosquitoes are not attracted to your outdoor lights, they could use them to navigate into your yard, where they can find a target. The more mosquitoes and bugs buzzing and crawling around your home, the more spiders you will have.
Lavender, mint, eucalyptus, and citronella are all plants with strong smells that spiders don't like. Adding these plants to your garden can help deter spiders from building webs in your yard. If you don't want to grow these plants, use essential oils, such as peppermint oil and tea tree oil.
Not because spiders enjoy fruit, but because fruit flies do. If you keep that fruit in your fridge, avoid leaving banana peels and peach seeds laying out, and keep your garbage sealed in a can, you'll avoid the fruit flies, and the spiders that eat them.
Wolf spiders live in shallow underground burrows, and are very common beneath mulch. Also common in gardens, jumping spiders do not make webs, but do use a string of silk to tether themselves to vegetation in case they miss a jump.
Cedar mulch is your best bet for keeping insects at bay, thanks to its strong scent and natural insecticidal properties.
Spiders really don't like strong scents such as citrus, peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon. Add 15 to 20 drops of your chosen essential oil or a couple of capfuls of Zoflora fragrance to a spray bottle filled with water, and spritz around the house.
Mulch holds moisture in the soil, allowing you to cut down dramatically on the frequency and duration of watering. This encourages established plants to be more drought tolerant, but it can also make all the difference for the success of new shrubs and trees.
While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather. Some kinds of mulch may even repel termites.
Eventually all mulch will decompose and no longer provide the benefits it was designed for. Organic mulches provide nutrients to your soil, while retaining moisture and protecting the soil. As your mulch decomposes or is reduced in depth, you become more likely to see more problems with soil erosion and weeds.