Q: I have removed all pine straw from around my house and plan to replace it. How much of a gap should I leave between the house and the straw?

A: All mulch should be kept twelve inches away from a home’s foundation according to UGA entomologist Dan Suiter. This prevents termites from “bridging” over any injected termite poison at the base of your foundation. If your home is protected by bait stations, consult your pest control provider.