[AT] Termites in your mulch?

[Ronald L. Cook]

A local television station did a bit about this mulch problem.  There will 
probably be some from infected areas alright.  Of course the local big box 
stores made statements to the effect that they will not have any.  I 
wouldn't put much stock in what they say.  However, the local extension 
agent said just use cedar mulch, with a grin.  That is mostly what is sold 
around here and is what my wife always uses.  It was brought up that the 
formosan termite can't survive the winter.  I am not so sure about 
that.  Our ground hasn't even frozen this year and I am looking to have an 
excellent stand of all sorts of bugs to spray. <vbg>

Ron Cook
Salix, IA
>I am forwarding the attached without comment - I don't know how much truth 
>there is to it, and I don't buy mulch.
>
>Mike
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Louisiana agricultural dept. web site FYI.
><http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/termites/>
>
>If you use mulch around your house be very careful about buying mulch this 
>year. After the Hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These 
>trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of 
>tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul 
>it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowes at dirt cheap 
>prices with one huge problem; Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many 
>of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country were the 
>Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown 
>down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the 
>worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we 
>have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we 
>have no good control against them, so tell your friends that own homes to 
>avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from.
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>Mike Sloane
>Allamuchy NJ
>mikesloane at verizon.net
>Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
>Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>