Wood mulch, often composed of cedar, is used to keep the soil wet, prevent weed growth, enhance the appearance of a planting area, insulate the soil, and ward off insects. What about bees and cedar chips, though? Does cedar mulch in any way influence or attract bees? Does cedar mulch deter other pollinators as it is used to repel insects? Learn more about insects and cedar mulch by reading on.
Insects and Cedar Mulch
The same logic applies to the usage of cedar mulch in gardens as it does to residences where cedar has long been used to deter moths. According to legend, cedar mulch wards off bothersome insects, including certain species of ants, termites, fleas, and other flies. Does cedar mulch, however, also deter pollinators?
Is Cedar Harmful to Bees?
It is unlikely that anybody would use cedar mulch in the garden if the question “does cedar mulch repel pollinators?” is true. The assumption that cedar harms pollinators is improbable since cedar is one of the most popular forms of wood mulch.
But does cedar especially hurt bees? No, cedar mulch does not adversely affect bees. Many beekeepers put mulch below their hives to ward off insects, and many utilise wood for the bottom boards of their hives because it resists decay without harming their colonies.
Does Cedar Attract Bees?
Despite having no negative effects on bees, cedar does not seem to attract bees. However, utilising cedar, particularly near hives, may aid bees by reducing pests that might penetrate the colony; consequently, bees will gain greatly.
Cedar Chips and Bees
Because cedar chips take longer to decompose than many other forms of mulch, they do not need as frequent replacement. While the wood degrades gradually, environmental variables gradually cause the pest-repelling essential oils of the wood to evaporate.
This indicates that the beneficial oils that ward off pests have a limited shelf life. After it is gone, cedar mulch has the advantages listed above, except its capacity to ward off pests. Still, cedar chips and bees may cohabit together without suffering negative consequences.