Do tree stumps attract termites, and does stump grinding help?

Do tree stumps attract termites?

A stump is wood in the ground, and subterranean termites eat wood in the ground. That is the reason the question comes up. The better question is whether a stump in the yard puts your house at risk. The University of Kentucky Department of Entomology answers it directly: “Swarms of termites emerging from tree stumps, woodpiles, etc. out in the yard are not necessarily cause for concern, and do not automatically mean the house is infested.”

The same page names the warning sign: “if swarmers are emerging next to the foundation or from abutting porches or patios, there’s a good chance the home is infested as well.” Distance and location matter more than the stump itself.

The Kentucky page is written for Kentucky conditions and says it has relevance throughout much of the USA. That covers Northern Kentucky directly. Ohio State University Extension reports that in Ohio, Eastern subterranean termites swarm over spring and early summer.

Does stump grinding attract termites?

The pages we opened do not test stump grindings, so we cannot answer that directly. They do say how termites react to wood mulch. The University of Kentucky’s home protection sheet says “termites are attracted to mulch primarily because of its moisture-retaining properties, and the insulation it affords against temperature extremes.” It adds that “the mulch itself is of poor nutritional quality to termites and a non-preferred source of food.”

The same sheet gives rules for mulch near a building: use it sparingly (“a couple inches is usually adequate”), and do not let it contact wood siding or the framing of doors or windows. Treat a pile of wood chips from a ground stump as wood debris in the yard and keep it away from the house. The sheet also says “never store firewood or wood debris against foundations or inside crawlspaces.”

If you have the chips taken away, they are not next to the house at all. Cincinnati Stump Grinding says it offers chip haul-away and fresh topsoil. See Chip haul-away and topsoil and What to do with stump grindings.

Should I remove a stump near my house?

The University of Kentucky says to do it where practical. Its sheet on protecting a home lists this among its steps: “Where practical, remove stumps and dead roots around and beneath buildings, and any form boards left in place after the building was constructed.”

Other steps on the sheet have nothing to do with stumps, and they matter just as much:

1. Keep wood off the soil. “Eliminate wood in contact with the ground.” Wood siding, door and window frames should be at least six inches above ground level.
2. Keep the foundation dry. Termites “are attracted to moisture.” Use gutters, downspouts and splash blocks, and grade the soil so water drains away.
3. Do not stack wood against the house. Firewood and wood debris should not sit against foundations or inside crawlspaces.
4. Use mulch sparingly.

Ohio State University Extension states the same principle: “Any wood-to-soil contact gives termites direct access to wood within a building.” Read Stump grinding near a house foundation for the grinding side of this.

Do termites hurt the stump, the tree or the house?

Termites do not often start with live trees. The University of Kentucky says termites “can injure living trees and shrubs, but more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline.” Subterranean termites are “serious pests of buildings and usually warrant attention by a professional.”

Winged ants can be mistaken for termites. Ohio State says that “with the exception of carpenter ants, other ant species generally do not damage wood,” and that winged ants and winged termites are often confused. Kentucky says termites have straight antennae, a uniformly thickened waist and wings of equal size. Ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists and longer forewings. See the glossary entries for subterranean termite and carpenter ants.

What should I do if I see winged insects or mud tubes?

Call a licensed pest professional. We do not give pest-control advice beyond what the sources state. Kentucky Entomology says: “In short, termite treatment is a job for professionals.” Ohio State says “control of subterranean termites requires certified professionals, as proper inspection is necessary and effective chemicals are only permitted for licensed individuals.”

Kentucky adds that termites damage wood slowly, so there is time to compare companies. It says to avoid firms that “try to pressure you into signing a contract immediately with specials or scare tactics.” Termite swarmers indoors “are incapable of damaging wood and only live for about a day.” You can sweep them up with a broom or vacuum while you arrange an inspection.

What about the roots left after grinding?

Roots left after grinding are wood in the soil too. The pages we opened do not say whether they raise termite risk. If a stump or its roots sit near a building, ask the pest professional what to do about them. Read Do roots die after stump grinding? and Tree roots, stumps and regrowth.

Next step

If a stump near your home bothers you, see the stump grinding service. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.