I have a big yard that badly needs mulching, and I don't want the bagged stuff (much too expensive, chemically treated?). I am going to contact tree services and utility companies in my area to see if they have chopped up or shredded trees that they will give to me. I am wondering about carpenter ants, as I have had a bit of problem with these when I first moved here (there were pieces of old wood fence panels lying on the ground). Haven't seen any the last few years, though.

I have searched OG forums for wood mulch issues, and termites seem to be much more of a concern. Gardenz did mention carpenter ants being attracted to wood mulch, but can't see that anyone else has had problems with this? Possibly this might not apply to me due to being farther north than a lot of OGers?

Does anyone have any experience with extensive use of wood mulch and carpenter ants? I know that there may be a problem with nitrogen depletion, and have thought of a "lasagne recipe" which should prevent that (first lay down cardboard,then last fall's leaves, bagged manure and/or uncomposted greens, soil & then the wood mulch). I probably won't plant anything in the mulched areas until this fall or next spring. I would like to be sure that the grass (@#! quackgrass, pardon my language) and other weeds are dead before I plant.

Thanks for any answers/suggestions.

Crazed

PS: I apologize for being long-winded - too old to change now!!

I have lots of wood chips from our local tree trimmers that I use, and have used, for years as a mulch around my trees and shrubs and I have seen no problem with either carpenter ants (they are around here) or termites (they, too, are around) in that mulch.

I used to have a major problem with carpenter ant, they would find there way into the house and just be all over the place. Never found the place that they were coming in at. I did though find an organic solution, and not only solved my carpenter ant problem but the earwig, along with a host of other pest problems. The item that I use is called DIATOMACEOUS EARTH, it is the fossil remains of sea diatoms, they are razor sharp, an insect crawls over it and gets sliced and thus dehydrates and dies.
There are two grades of this product food and non food, so if you have pets that run free you want to be sure that you get the food grade. This DE works on internal parasites in pets and farm animals also to include flees and ticks. It does loose its deadly potential though when it gets wet. It does not for some reason hurt earth worms, but any other insect good or bad falls prey to this product.

Mel