Does mulch attract termites?

Wood mulch provides habitat for insects including termites, but doesn't attract them from a distance. Termites find mulch because they're already in your soil — not because you put mulch down. Keep mulch 6 inches from your foundation, avoid thick mulch against the house, and use termite-resistant types (cedar, cypress) near the foundation if concerned. Annual termite inspection addresses the actual risk.

When should I add new mulch?

Spring is ideal — after the last hard freeze and before summer heat. Fall mulching insulates roots for winter. Avoid mulching too early in spring (before soil warms) as this delays spring soil warming. For most properties, one annual top-dressing of 1 inch is sufficient to maintain the 2–3 inch depth without having to remove old mulch.

Mulch Types Guide: Which Mulch Is Best for Your Garden

Organic Mulch Types

Shredded hardwood bark: The most versatile all-purpose mulch. Slow to decompose (18–24 months), stays put on slopes, aesthetically neutral. Good for most ornamental beds.
Wood chips (arborist chips): Coarser texture — excellent for paths, utility areas, and under large shrubs. Research shows arborist wood chips improve soil biology better than processed bark. Often free from tree services.
Pine bark: Acidic decomposition benefits acid-loving plants (azaleas, blueberries, camellias, rhododendrons). Floats easily in heavy rain — not ideal for sloped areas.
Straw/wheat straw: Best for vegetable gardens — cheap, decomposes fast (adds organic matter), doesn't tie up nitrogen, doesn't harbor slugs as much as wood mulch. Ugly in ornamental areas.
Cocoa shell mulch: Attractive appearance and pleasant smell. Can be toxic to dogs — avoid where dogs have access.
Compost: Technically mulch when applied on top. Improves soil simultaneously. Less effective than bark at weed suppression (too fine).

Inorganic Mulch Types

Rubber mulch: 10–20 year lifespan. Zero organic matter addition. Best for playgrounds and paths. Gets hot in summer. Not recommended for plant beds — impedes water penetration over time.
Gravel/stone: Permanent, low maintenance, excellent drainage. Not suitable near plants needing acidic or moisture-retentive soil. Best for desert landscapes, drainage areas, paths.
Landscape fabric + rock: The most problematic combination — fabric degrades over 3–5 years, becomes buried by leaves and decomposing mulch, and is then nearly impossible to remove.

Correct Mulch Application

Apply 2–3 inches deep. Keep 2–4 inches away from plant stems and tree trunks (volcano mulching causes rot and pest problems). Don't exceed 4 inches — deeper mulch can become hydrophobic and actually repel water.