Natural Pest Control With Cedar Mulch

Cedar mulch is widely touted as a natural pest control product for your yard or garden.

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As with many other landscaping products on the market, consumers can often be overwhelmed by the number of mulch choices available to them. Generally, mulch is divided into organic and inorganic categories. Organic mulches are those that come from a living source such as leaves, grass clippings and tree bark. The inorganic mulches come from non-living sources and range from gravel and pebbles to manufactured rubber based products.

Most consumers think weed-control, water management and soil nutrition when making a mulch decision. More consideration should be given to the pest control angle. Cedar mulch is a natural pest control product for many of the same reasons that cedar is considered good outdoor fencing and furniture wood. The oil in cedar, which produces its distinct aroma, is a natural insect repellant.

When you are using the common form of cedar mulch with some wood chips mixed in, it is important to distinguish the type of pest control action you are taking. Cedar oil is a natural insect repellent, however, unless your mulch is aromatic, not typical of mulch, especially after it has been on the ground for some time, don't expect a big benefit from its repellant properties. Having said that, there is research suggesting that Argentine ants have been deterred by aromatic cedar mulch.

Cedar mulch can best be thought of as an insect control mulch. Just as cedar wood is a popular choice for outdoor fencing and furniture because of its insect resistant properties, so too is the mulch popular for its insect resistant properties. While much of the oil from cedar is removed during the mulching process, enough remains to make it a less attractive place for wood foraging insects than other types of mulches. For example, unless pine is pressure treated, it is susceptible to insect infestation and therefore a poor choice for outdoor furniture. Therefore, it stands to reason that untreated pine mulches, compared to cedar mulches, are more susceptible to insect infestations.

Cedar mulch is applied much the same as other types of organic mulch. It is best to prepare the mulching area by weeding and leveling the dirt prior to the mulch application. While the bag may recommend applications up to four inches deep, generally you want a smaller (2"-3") layer of mulch to insure proper aeration and water irrigation of the soil below.

If you are interested in a stronger weed control landscape using cedar mulch, place a sheet of plastic on top of the weeded soil area prior to the mulch application.

© 2006. Patricia A. Michaels