Formosan Termites in Wood Mulch? Email Rumor is Another Urban Legend
by Barb Ogg, PhD, Extension Educator
Have you received recent email about the possibility of Formosan termites in discount store mulch? These emails are not providing factual information, but are causing a lot of anxiety.
The facts:Formosan subterranean termites are more destructive than the eastern subterranean termites that are most common in Nebraska. But, they are a tropical termite species and rarely found above 35 N latitude. They are not likely to survive very well in Nebraska.
Whether Formosan termites could withstand the shredding and bagging process in large enough numbers to form a new colony is possible, but highly improbable.
The possibility of Formosan termites moving in wood damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was recognized many months ago. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry imposed a quarantine to prevent the movement of Formosan subterranean termite in wood debris outside the quarantined area.
According to Bob Odom, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, "The email is not accurate and doesn't even mention the quarantines this department put in place last fall to keep Formosan termites from spreading". Woody debris cannot be moved out of quarantined areas without first submitting a plan for treatment.
"I've had my people out looking into these claims to make sure there are no violations of the quarantine. I've also had our invasive pest expert contact the stores mentioned in the email and we've yet to find any validity to the claims in the email," Odom said.
"In my opinion, someone is using the Internet to cause hysteria about a problem that doesn't really exist. If there are people out there who know about someone violating the quarantines, then they need to report it to us. We'll shut the culprits down real quick but it has to be reported," Odom said. "I think the quarantines doing the job, though. We've worked with the debris contractors, the Corps of Engineers and FEMA to handle the debris and quarantines."
According to Snopes.com, a website dedicated to dispelling internet urban legends, Home Depot does not get its wood mulch from the New Orleans area.
After reading this, if you are still concerned, use municipal mulch. Many Nebraska municipalities produce mulch from tree trimmings which should be safe and termite free.
If you want to use bagged mulch and are still concerned, lay the bags of mulch out in the warm sun for a few hours. According to Mike Merchant, Urban Entomologist at Texas A & M University, raising mulch temperatures to 120 degrees for an hour or more is generally sufficient to kill all insect life.
Recent press release from Kansas State - READ HERE
The lesson learned is: DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ON THE INTERNET!
Other resources:
(This resource was added March 7, 2006 in response to the numerous calls and email from clientele about rumors related to termites/wood mulch and the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast Region. For information on reproducing this article or using any photographs or graphics, read the Terms of Use statement)
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County is your on-line yard and garden educational resource. The information on this Web site is valid for residents of southeastern Nebraska. It may or may not apply in your area. If you live outside southeastern Nebraska, visit your local Extension office
