Rainy Weather Sparks Fire Ant Activity in Midland-Odessa

Here in Midland-Odessa, when it rains, it is a well-deserved break from the brutal West Texas heat.  However, that is usually followed by the emergence of fire ants, who seemingly come out of nowhere.  While they can be annoying to most people, they can pose significant danger to children, pets, or even livestock.

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The Surge After Rainfall

According to The Bug Master, the reason why we see more ants after a good rain is that the rain usually floods where they burrow underground.  This forces them to come to the surface for refuge.  So the mounds you see pop up did not appear out of nowhere; they were there before the rain, they were just hiding.

Threats to Animals Such As Pets and Livestock

The majority of any species are aggressive and territorial.  Something as simple as a curious dog that investigates a mound, a horse, or a cow that stands too close can get severely injured if the colony attacks them. It's suggested that if you have to regulate these mounds in order to keep animals safe, do so at your discretion.  Preferably with non-toxic methods.

Keeping Children Safe

Let's be honest, kids can be clumsy or too curious for their own good.  So a sweet mound of dirt is sometimes too tempting not to mess with.  It does not take much to provoke a colony to attack.  It is important to educate children about the danger and also take precautionary measures, such as forcing them to wear shoes, which is a great idea.