I'd suggest to anyone who has termites in the vicinity to have their house inspected once by professionals, which costs about $300, and watch carefully what they do. Once you know what they look for, then you can do it yourself - it isn't rocket science. Insect damage isn't covered by home owners insurance. Treating a house, either through drilling and poisoning or using bait stations and then poisons, is going to set you back $2,500. Let alone repairing any damage. We've had termites come up in the middle of the house through a crack in the concrete slab, go up the walls and into the ceiling. Everyone we spoke to referred us to the bait / poison route, the termites hit the bait, which is a piece of aspen wood. They then shake a few termites into the poison canister, which is tissue paper impregnated with some chemical that interferes with termites shedding their skins or something, and replace the wood with the canister. The termites polish that off, and the nest dies. Anyway, they're there all around there under you, all the time. You don't 'get' them from mulch or by stacking firewood, they live in networks, feeding on roots and dead trees, and occasionally they'll 'fly', spreading their territory that way. We used to get a 'hit' on a bait station once a year for the first 5 years, but that's now stopped. Fingers crossed. This refers to the indigenous termites, the Formosa termites in the South are something else all together.

yes, what did you decide. I am where the sand blows up from Palm Springs into the higher levels of the desert. We have deep sand and crud for dirt. Takes a lot of compost for any reason. I am using containers (old trunk bottoms, plastic and chip board, deep wire trays) and putting up on top of legs (saw horses, old bath bench, old bench made with headboards and other table legs). I am lining it all with newspaper (and maybe also material), I also have some old drawers that I am gona do something with. I want to get up so I can use good dirt and be away from these pesky gophers and where the dogs will not dig. I also have a large bookcase that I will reinforce and add table legs to put in somethings. Still working this out bot in the yard and on paper. I plan on using some recycle type water in a big barrel to be able to water efficiently. I say recycle water cause if the grandkids play in a big tub or pool...I will use that water to water the garden. Thinking about setting up an outside shower and capture that water, lol. Who knows what will work annd what I will do. But I am gona try it this year. I am also going to try a potato tower.

Well, well, that's about right for me. I finally found the original article. Here's the url. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef605.asp And here's the paragraph that specifically deals with mulch. "Use mulch sparingly, especially if you already have termites or other conducive conditions. Many people use landscape mulch for its aesthetic and plant health benefits. Excessive or improper usage, however, can contribute to termite problems. Termites are attracted to mulch primarily because of its moisture-retaining properties, and the insulation it affords against temperature extremes. The mulch itself is of poor nutritional quality to termites and a non-preferred source of food. Since the moisture retaining properties of mulch are more of an attractant than the wood itself, it makes little difference what type of mulch is used (cypress, pine bark, eucalyptus, etc.). Contrary to popular belief, crushed stone or pea gravel are comparable to wood mulch in terms of attraction, since they also retain moisture in the underlying soil. Where mulch is used, it should be applied sparingly (2-3 inches is usually adequate), and should never be allowed to contact wood siding or framing of doors or windows." sorry 'bout the old lady mind slip.

There are many sites on the web addressing this topic and some say yes and some say no. Some say don't put any kind of wood mulch by your foundation. The science that I have read says that if you have termites in the soil, they will like your new wood chip mulch. If you don't, it will not attract them. Based on the science, the issue is not wood but moisture. You should ensure that the foundation around your house is properly drained. If so, and inch or two of mulch will likely not create an increased risk for termite infestation. I've been using mulch around my house for 20 years (in NC) and have had no termites. If you want to be on the safe side, you can not put them withing 2-3 feet of your foundation - or if you must for whatever reason, apply an insecticide that will kill any termites around the perimiter of your house (you should be doing this anyway!) I have a half acre landscpape and a tree company removing trees kindly gave me a dump truck full of wood chips. I am using them on my garden "trails" over fabric cloth--they make a wonderful soft walking surface. I am also using them judiciously in an area that I want to look natural. I am putting a light layer on top of fallen leaves - which gives it a nice uniform appearance and prevents the leaves from blowing around. I will likely spread some insecticide in the entire area just to be on the safe side - and if it gets rid of the million tics on my property, that would be a benefit.