Mulch Suppliers (besides dump) around Puna

[Justin]

Hi there, I am looking for a source of mulch to put around some of my new plantings in my yard. I'm not planning on mixing it into the soil, I want it mainly to mound around the plants to help retain moisture for times where it doesn't rain for several days at a time. That being said, I'd prefer stuff not full of weed seeds or other problem material.

Thanks in advance.

Getting a handle of living in Leilani

[csgray]

Watch out for fire ants! I know several people whose places got fire ants on a load of mulch, once you get them there is no getting rid of them.

Carol

[Andy]

I've gotten over 200 yds of mulch and have never gotten fire ants. There are plenty of chemicals that work on Fireants. Yes they can be kept at bay if you stay on top of them if you get them. Just in case I always test each load with Popsicle sticks and peanut butter. Better safe than sorry...

[Carey]

You may want to try mac nut mulch. link to a thread from last year that covered the subject:
http://www.punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12305

[csgray]

"At bay" still means your place has fire ants, not a good thing. As there are more and more sites with fire ants on Hawaii Island the risk of getting ants in mulch goes up too, they are called "hitchhiker ants" because they catch rides so easily.

Really good info on Hawaii little fire ants:
http://www.littlefireants.com/index_files/FAQ.htm#q01


If you want to see where there are some of infested public recreation sites go here:
http://www.littlefireants.com/index_file...i.htm#hilo

Carol

[Justin]

I unfortunately already have fire ants, but that is a concern of mine - I certainly don't want to bring in any more.

Andy, you mentioned you've gotten over 200 yards of mulch - where did you get that from?

Carey, thanks for the information on the mac nut mulch. I may go that route if I can't find anything else.

Getting a handle of living in Leilani

[Guest]

I try not to buy my Meth at the dump, try chuck down by the bank....

“Setting a good example is a far better way to spread ideals than through force of arms.”
-Ron Paul

[ericlp]

yes you can get RID of fireants if you catch em early. The way to tell is the Popsicle sticks and peanut butter. If you find em bait early ASAP... You'll kill them all before they start colonizing. These ants move very slowly and if you test before moving your pile you can easily get rid of them.

The sad part is maybe your a good neighbor that tests his compost (cinders) when you get a load from wherever but if you neighbor across the street doesn't your gonna soon have what he/she is having sooner or later. So... I'd be more worried about what the neighbors are bringing in than an ant infested yard plant you picked up at the farmers market.

To each their own! Just glad I only have 1/3rd of an acre to deal with. I feel for people that have 1-3 acres and infested ants all over in palm trees etc...etc...

[terracore]

If I got anything delivered, whether its mulch or a plant from a farmer's market, I would treat it as if it was infested. If you poison them right off the bat it will delay the inevitable. From what I've read a nearly island-wide infestation is going to happen eventually and it will be just another thing you have to deal with, like coqui frogs and my parrots. As far as I know fire ants have never been eradicated once they've arrived, anywhere. The best you can hope for is management.

[Justin]

Thanks for all the helpful tips regarding fire ants. Anyone have any leads on places to get mulch from?