This is my first post in this forum. There will probably be many more because when it comes to landscaping, I'm as dumb as a box of rocks.

I live in Tarpon Springs, FL., a mile from the Gulf, a little north of St. Pete so I hope I'm in the correct forum.

Today's question has to do with my side and back yards. One side is 8' from a privacy fence which is on the property line. The other side is 5' from the property line and I'm going to put up a privacy fence there. Since nobody will see these areas, I want to put down Western red cedar chips. No grass, no water wasted.

I've been reading about whether or not Western red cedar will stop termites from attacking the house. Some say yes, some say no. My question is: Would it be better if I put down a 24" wide, 3" deep strip of seashell mulch next to the house? Then, Western red cedar out to the privacy fence?

The back of the house has an 8 foot cement slab all the way from one side of the house to the other. Would I need the seashells back there?

Thanks for any help you may give me.

PlantsFearMe1