AboutRussel Ray Expertise I can answer questions about water-wise landscaping, xeriscaping, and using native vegetation, cactus, and succulents to create a home paradise that won't increase your water bill.
Experience My wise ol' grandmother got me started with cactus and succulents 42 years ago. The rest, as they say, is history.
Organizations National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Better Business Bureau of San Diego
Education/Credentials After graduating from Texas A&M University, I started a plant-sitting business in Houston to take care of the house plants when people went on vacation. That went on for five years before I moved back to College Station and started several businesses, one of which was a landscaping business specializing in "dry" landscaping.
Awards and Honors The privilege of working with people.
Question Dear Mr.Ray,
I am a novice gardener. My home was recently treated for termites and I was advised to not use mulch any longer. The area in question is a 25'x 5' space between the house and concrete walkway.I live in hot drought prone south florida, I have a dog who walks into the area on occasion therefore mulch with termicide is out of the question. I have been told that rocks will burn the plant roots. I do not have any leaf laden trees that I can use dropped leaves from.Water conservation is also an issue. Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You, Judy M. West Palm Beach Fl.
Answer Hey, Judy.
It's the novice termite professional who recommends against mulch. There is no problem with using mulch because it is composed of tree bark, which is not what termites are after. They need the soft wood of the interior tree that is full of water and nutrients. Not all wood attracts termites. For example, redwood and cedar are naturally resistant to termites. So if you've been using mulch, and you like it, keep on keeping on.
Now let's address the termite problem itself. You live in South Florida. You have termites. There is no getting away from that. They swarm once a year, which is when a newborn queen takes off to look for her own home, and it might be yours. That's just a fact of nature, and that's why termite companies rarely, if ever, provide more than a one-year guarantee against future infestations.
The easiest thing to do is what I do out here, and we have two types of termites that swarm here, about six months apart. A termite inspection here costs $75, about $6 a month, so I put $10 a month into a home maintenance savings account to pay for a termite inspection each year. Sometimes they find termites, sometimes they don't. Either way, it's very inexpensive home maintenance considering the considerable damage that termites can cause if left alone.
As far as rocks burning the plant roots, that's extremely rare and usually only happens when you plant a new plant in the ground and immediately cover the soil with rocks. With both mulch and rocks, I would suggest putting a weed prevention cloth under the mulch and rocks.
