newbie with hugelkulture questions

Hi, First time posting here so hope I'm not breaking any rules or anything. Just finished reading Sepp Holzers permaculture book and this seems to be everything I have been looking for.  I ordered the videos too.  I'm also greatly enjoying the podcasts found here.  But, on to the question.  this hugelkulture thing sounds absolutely awesome, but I do have a couple of questions for anyone with experience: First is I live in the deep,hot, humid southeast USA and the termites are horrid.  they will actually eat plant roots    So if I have rotting trees that seems to be a haven for them.  I understand the mycellium connection.  Have read Stamets books and actually have a fridge full of mushroom spores.  2nd In the videos it shows them piling on soil, is this top soil - can I use manure in it. I just have crappy red clay here.  I'd hate to have to buy soil. I can get all the cow manure I want.  It doesn't have heavy chemicals but is not organic.  I do have a good compost bin full of worms  but I it wouldn't cover a hugelkulture bed.  Thanks ahead of time for any comments; all will be carefully considered.

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Here's my big fat opinion   :   Don't worry about the termites. I don't think they're a problem.  Personally, I would mix cow manure with the clay and use that to cover the beds. 

Thanks, maybe I will plant stuff with non woody roots to begin with.  But i don't really know what all has woody roots.