Should I worry about getting termites in mulch from Lousiana?
BOB: Since Hurricane Katrina, people have been concerned about Formosan termites arriving locally in mulch products. After all they say, Formosan termites don’t need soil to survive, they only need wood and a source of water. On the other hand, most experts feel the Formosan termites can’t survive outside the southern climes. Also remember that state agriculture officials in Louisiana and Mississippi have quarantines in place for all wood products from areas infested with Formosan termites, including all areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Still not sure? Most bulk mulch products used in southwestern Pennsylvania come from saw mills in the tri-state area (Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio). It would be cost prohibitive to ship it much further and still sell it for a reasonable price. Besides, we have an excellent supply of mulch here in the tri-state area, so why ship it any further than you really have to? Bagged mulch is commonly shipped from outside the tri-state area,
