Video: Recent Rain Causing Ant Hills To Pop Up

[syndicaster id=’6054447′]

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI)  – Within the past few weeks, we’ve seen up to four inches of rainfall throughout the area. And now, you might notice more of ant mounds popping up.

But what causes them and what can homeowners do to get rid of them for good?

The shelves at Military Hardware in Columbus are normally stocked full of ant powder and spray.

But recently, the owner says the demand is so high, he’s continually working hard to keep up with the inventory.

“Since all this rain started up in these past few weeks, we’ve been through many,many cases and I have customers, I’ve got a waiting list for them right now that said ‘save me a case,’ so, I’ve got another truck getting them here friday,” said Brad Perkerson, the Owner at Military Hardware.

Some of the ant mounds can have up to 10,000 ants living inside.

Entomology Specialist at Mississippi State, Blake Layton, says the recent rain is to blame for the mounds coming above ground.

“We went though a really dry period and during that time, they wanted their mounds to be down in the soil where it was cool and of course, then we got the big rains over 6 inches that caused saturated soil conditions. And that forces those ants to move up above the soil profile and so they can just build their nest higher,” said Layton.

And these aren’t just any regular ants we’re seeing coming above ground.

“These that we’re seeing build these mounds now, these are fire ants. The ones that sting you if you step in them or get in them otherwise,” said Layton.

As the seasons change and winter approaches, the mounds will start to disappear and begin nesting.

But these two professionals say now is the time to treat the ants if you’re having this pesky problem.

“Two or three several products I have made by the Bengal Company are very good. It’s a powder form and a granule form, both are very good products. Everybody talks about ‘I can pour diesel or gas on ant mounds. That doesn’t do, you have to kill the queen to make it do,” said Perkerson.

“Great time to kill more mounds before they go into over wintering,” added Layton.

For more resources on how to get rid of ant hils, visit www.msucares.com or visit your local hardware store for products.