Debunking the Formosan Termite Mulch Myth After Hurricane Katrina

The Urban Legend

Emails claimed cheap mulch from Katrina-felled New Orleans trees was infested with Formosan termites (Coptotermes formosanus) that would eat houses overnight with no known control.

The Reality

• Louisiana quarantined all wood products post-Katrina to prevent spread.
• Mulch is chipped and processed—termites cannot survive grinding.
• Heating mulch to 120°F kills all life.
• Texas also quarantined hurricane debris and railroad ties (a bigger risk due to creosote-treated wood with untreated sections).

Safe Mulch Practices

• Don't mulch deeper than 2–3 inches.
• Keep mulch 6+ inches from building foundations.
• Buy from reputable local sources.

Full Report

Cornell Cooperative Extension: Formosan Termite Fact Sheet.

The myth exploited post-disaster fear. Science and regulation prevent the imagined catastrophe.