DON'T USE WOOD MULCH AROUND THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR HOME!

I attend many home inspections as part of the process of assisting buyers acquiring a new home.  One piece of advice I hear on every one of these sessions--from the home inspector AND from the pest inspector--is "don't place wood products of any kind around the foundation of your home, especially bark mulch."  The reason:  wood retains moisture, which attracts insects.  It's like a welcome mat for termites and carpenter ants, this area's most home-damaging insects.  The other note of advice from these same inspectors:  "Keep plants and shrubs at least 12" away from the siding.  Plants attract bugs and--if they are touching the side of the home--provide a handy bridge for bugs to travel over, onto and into your home."  So . . . keep foundation plantings trimmed away from the house and use gravel (there are lots of varieties) for mulch around the foundation.

Fall Home Projects

Check out this article from "This Old Home" for fall projects to spiff up and proactively maintain your home!  Just click on the title above.