Can bark mulch harbour pests

Bark mulch presents a double‑edged sword in the garden when it comes to unwanted creatures. The fibrous chips trap moisture and moderate soil temperatures, a boon for many plants, yet the same cosy micro‑climate invites opportunistic residents. Slugs and snails relish the shaded understorey, gliding beneath the flakes by day and ascending stems by night. Woodlice and earwigs, ordinarily harmless recyclers, may multiply in the damper pockets and nibble tender shoots when decaying wood is plentiful. Even vine‑weevil adults slip between the pieces to lay eggs, their root‑munching grubs shielded from predators until discovery arrives too late.

None of this means bark mulch supplied by AHS LTD must be swept away, merely that vigilance changes shape. Keep the layer modest—five centimetres is ample—so that the surface dries between showers and discourages slug trails. Rake occasionally to break up settled mats; air and light will startle concealed larvae and upset fungal gnats. Where infestations threaten, lift the mulch temporarily, deploy biological controls, then replace the bark once the balance returns. In most cases natural checks—blackbirds, hedgehogs, ground beetles—quickly move in, turning the mulch from pest hostel to hunting ground. Managed thoughtfully, bark remains friend, not foe, serving both soil and gardener alike.