Untreated shredded bark in lasagna bed attract termites?

I have been writing about my long lasagna bed that is 10' x 225' that I am currently constructing. The one end abuts right up to the back of my house. Yesterday I had delivered 17 yards of untreated shredded bark. Afterwards, I started worrying that the bark will attract termites. Is this a legitimate worry? Is there something I can do to avoid this?

In my area anything wood on or in the ground and it is gone in a short time. Of course this depend on if you have active termites in your area. We do big time.

Next if there is a colony in your area the bark will only attract the termites at a greater rate if there is a shortage of "nature" food in the ground. Otherwise it will be discovered and eaten with the same percentage of luck as anything else in the ground.

One more thing. While we here have to deal with mass termites that is not really a bad thing. Three years back I found a feeder tube going into one of the over-flow tubes of a growth container. I broke it off; however there were termites in the container. Yes they helped eat the compost in that container. But they gave back so much more in the way of plant food.

I know of couple of ways to stop termites. 1.) A chemical barrier. 2.) Food sticks the kill the colony. (Years back I taught Pest Control.)

Question: When you go out in your yard/area do you see any signs of termites? Pick up a old branch? Something?
Olds

No, I have not seen any but would sure hate to attract them! Is there something I could spray the shredded bark to keep them away?

This is probably a really stupid question, but - what is a lasagna bed ?

Honey - go to the search at the right and enter lasagne. You will get a thorough list of discussions on Lasagne beds. http://davesgarden.com/t/169444/ is a good example. It is building your lasagne with soil and organic matter (straw, newspaper, leaves, etc) in layers that generate "good dirt" with minimal work. Someone really knowledgable about it should add it to the "Garden Terms"

Beardtongue, don't do anything to the bark to try to keep the termites away!

Treating the bark will kill all insects and other animals that are working hard to break down the organic matter to help feed your plants!

We have used a LOT of untreated bark and small sticks as a natural mulch in our woodland yard. We have no problems with termites. There are a few present, but fewer than are typical in any other landscape. Yes, we have had a few termite inspections over the years.

george4tax - Thank you. I get it.

Lupine:

Thanks! I feel better now. I will be spreading those piles of top soil and shredded bark tomorrow without a second thought!

I agree about not spraying or treating the bark.

Beardtongue, now that you are (mostly) done with your new bed, I have another recipe for you. Be sure to follow it closely!

1) Fill a tub with warm water. Add a few drops of your favorite scented oil.
2) Add gardener. Soak for at least 30 minutes.

Seriously, you have done an enormous amount of work! Take time to do something kind for your body. After all, you have to live in it the rest of your life :D

Oh Gosh, Lupinelover, are you so right! I worked steadily on the new bed today and probably can say I am only about 1/3 of the way done. I am in need of some more newspapers and cardboard to cover the ground. But let me tell you, I pushed a lot of wheelbarrow loads today and my knees and back confirm that I shoveled a lot of wood chips and top soil. As I walked up the lane to my house I looked back at the results of my labor today and I was thrilled. I have visions of what this new bed will look like next year. And now . . . I'm off to fill my bath tub to soak my aching knees and back. I need to if I am going to get back out there tomorrow!

((( beardtongue )))

Termites want wood, not bark. We live in the termite capitol of the U.S. and have never had termites in the bark chips, only in some wood that was buried.

I just found some termites in my front yard under some shredded redwood bark mulch. I haven't had any in my vegetable garden mulch. Anyway, what I'm doing is installing some termite bait stations and I'm going to monitor them monthly. I understand that one of my neighbors recently had about $50,000 in termite repairs, and I certainly can't afford that.

I've learned about a really cool website about termite control.....http://www.epestsupply.com/Termiteinfo.htm. By doing the monitoring and termite baiting myself I'm saving about $2500.00. That means more money for fun gardening stuff!