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How Landscaping Choices Around the Home Can Attract (or Deter) Termites

Vibrant flower garden with red, white, and purple blooms surrounded by bushes and rocks, set against a lush green lawn. Calm and serene.
Your yard might be feeding termites. Learn what landscaping choices attract or deter termites—direct from Bay Area termite experts.

About the Author: Jameson Elam is the owner and operator of Good Sense Termite, serving Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the termite control industry, Jameson specializes in thorough inspections, accurate diagnostics, and long-term solutions tailored to California homes. His deep knowledge of local termite behavior and building structures has made Good Sense Termite a trusted name for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.

Introduction

Landscaping can make your home look great—but it might also be helping termites get inside.


We see it all the time across the Bay Area: planter boxes, mulch, and poorly placed irrigation creating the perfect welcome mat for termites. The good news? You don’t have to tear up your yard—just make smarter choices.


At Good Sense Termite, we inspect hundreds of properties each year and see exactly how outdoor setups lead to infestations. Here’s what to know before your next landscaping project.


Top Landscaping Features That Invite Termites


Wooden planter with pink and yellow flowers against a stone wall, on a paved path. The setting evokes a serene, rustic mood.

1. Planter Boxes Against the House

If your planter boxes are touching the siding, you’ve just connected moist soil directly to your home’s wood framing—Subterranean termites’ dream come true.

  • Risk: Moisture + soil contact + wood = easy access

  • Fix: Move boxes at least 12 inches from siding or raise them off the ground

Gloved hand spreading mulch in a garden with lush green plants in the background, set in an outdoor setting with earthy tones.

2. Mulch Piled Too High

Mulch retains moisture, and if it’s too deep or too close to wood structures, it invites termites to burrow underneath and explore your foundation.

  • Risk: Mulch over 3 inches deep can trap moisture

  • Fix: Keep mulch low and at least 12–18 inches away from structural wood

Small puddle surrounded by green grass and plants, reflecting the overcast sky. The setting appears serene and natural.

3. Overwatering or Poor Drainage

Irrigation systems or sloped yards that pool water near the foundation create the moisture termites need to thrive.

  • Risk: Saturated soil encourages termite tunneling

  • Fix: Redirect downspouts, fix low spots, and adjust irrigation to avoid overwatering near the house

Orange cat stands on chopped wood against rustic wooden barn door, looking upward. Warm hues, natural setting.

4. Firewood and Timber Piles Against the Home

That stacked firewood or leftover lumber? It’s a termite buffet—and a shortcut to your home.

  • Risk: Wood piles are ideal termite habitats

  • Fix: Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home and 5 inches off the ground

Gray two-story house with white trim, front porch, and black door. Surrounded by lush green bushes and trees. House number 102 visible.

5. Dense Bushes and Ground Cover Against Walls

When thick plants trap moisture and limit airflow near the foundation, they create the ideal termite habitat.

  • Risk: Humid microclimates near siding or vents

  • Fix: Trim back vegetation to keep walls dry and ventilated


Bay Area Snapshot: Backyard Mistakes That Led to Infestations

  • Santa Clara: Client had decorative bark mulch pushed against the siding. Subterranean termites tunneled under it and entered through a weep screed crack.

  • Los Gatos: Drip irrigation soaked the soil next to a raised deck. Termites were later found in the ledger board and joists.

  • San Mateo: Homeowner stored firewood on a concrete patio that touched the foundation. Termites used the firewood as a bridge.


What Good Sense Termite Looks for During Inspections

  • Landscaping touches or covers siding or stucco 

  • Excessive mulch or bark along the perimeter 

  • Standing water or poor yard grading 

  • Decks or planter boxes built into structural wood 

  • Visible gaps in weep screeds or foundation vents


We point these out during your free inspection and help you fix them before termites settle in.


FAQ

Is all mulch bad for termites?

No, but all mulch can retain moisture. Termites don’t eat mulch, but they tunnel through or under it when it’s moist and deep. Keep it shallow and away from wood.

Can landscaping really cause a termite infestation?

Yes. We've seen dozens of cases where landscaping created the exact conditions termites need to move in.

Do you check landscaping during inspections?

 Absolutely. We assess exterior conditions that contribute to termite pressure—including yards, decks, and planter setups.

Final Thoughts: Termites Love Bad Landscaping

Your yard might be working against you—and you wouldn’t even know it. Smart landscaping doesn’t just protect curb appeal—it protects your home from expensive damage.


At Good Sense Termite, we help homeowners make simple changes that stop termites before they ever get inside.



 
 
 

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