With Erika now passing into our memories, we want you to know that the annual saying “hurricane season is here,” can also mean “fire ant season is here.” Wet weather from an active hurricane season causes increased fire ant activity, so be sure to do your best to keep your Panhandle home free from these common but annoying pests. Even though Tropical Storm Erika’s didn’t grow into something to concern us, its remnant moisture is still bringing locally heavy rain to the Southeast U.S., including Okaloosa County, as the week progresses. Also playing a role in the threat for locally heavy rain in the Southeast is a southward dip in the jet stream over the region that is helping to transport moisture northward.
So what is the problem with an active hurricane season and fire ants? Fire ants tend to create their mounds when soil is saturated. Large quantities of water on your lawn caused by rain from a hurricane will force fire ants to move out of their soaking wet mounds and into somewhere dry—for example, your home. These pests are more prominent in wet conditions and quickly move in non-flooded areas during hurricane season.
Little known fact: Fire ants are one of the most flood-resistant species in the world. They flourish in natural disaster conditions and can easily move from their mounds to dry land. Spot-treating mounds or infected corners in your home will not get rid of the problem. The best way to keep fire ants away would be a broadcast treatment in the areas surrounding your home. At Spears Pest Control we protect both inside and outside your Crestview, Ft. Walton Beach, Niceville, & Defuniak Springs home and it’s guaranteed!
If you’re interested in keeping your Florida home and lawn free of pests this hurricane season, give your Crestview FL pest control company, Spears Pest Control, a call at 850-682-5354 and schedule your free pest evaluation!
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