When Summer Storms Stir the Fire Ants

When the summer rains come, so do the fire ants. Overnight the little red clay mounds suddenly appear, popping up throughout pastures and alongside highways. Unfortunately, they end up in our backyards, along sidewalks and our driveways this time of year as well.

So, why do they seem to come out of nowhere? Little did we know, they were present in our yards all along. During extended periods of dry weather, the ants tend to go further underground in search of water and cooler temps. But when a soaking summer thunderstorm rolls through, their tunnels fill with water quickly. As a reaction, these coppery-brown colored ants set to work building mounds above-ground. These ants are particularly aggressive, as many of us have experienced first-hand.

Much like fire ants, mosquitoes also seem to come out in full force after a heavy rain. The leftover rainfall provides perfect puddles not just for splashing, but also for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Mosquito-born illnesses have been a high-profile topic over the last few years. Infected mosquitoes are not only a danger to humans, but to our pets as well. Heartworms can develop in dogs after being bitten by an infected mosquito, leading to costly treatments.

While heartworm prevention issued by your veterinarian is always best for your pets, Cingo is equipped to aid in protection of all your loved ones from both fire ants and mosquitoes. Our Cingo Prevent Plus plan provides coverage for both of these pests in your yard, as well as coverage for any type of pest inside your home (including termites).

This summer, focus your time on backyard barbeques and late-afternoon bike rides. Leave the worry at your backdoor and let Cingo defend your yard and home from biting insects all season long.

If you do find yourself nursing a bug bite, use our Backyard Bites guide to help identify and treat unexpected stings and bites this summer.