Wet weather drives fire ants to dry ground

PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Unusually wet weather in Florida is driving fire ants to seek higher ground, where the people are.

The Palm Beach Post reports experts warn the ants are more likely to turn up in yards and houses. They can even hide in clothes and shoes.

Ron Box, an entomologist with Hulett Environmental Services, told the newspaper the ants that are giving trouble arrived from South America in the 1920s and 1930s and are not the gentler native fire ants.

Floridians should be alert for fire ant colonies -- which can include 250,000 individuals -- and for trails of fire ants. Insecticides are available over the counter, or homeowners can hire exterminating services to put out bait.