Positive Heat Wave Side Effect -- Fewer Fire Ants

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The extreme heat in North Texas has resulted in one good side effect -- there are fewer fire ants.

Dr. Mike Merchant, with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, part of the Texas A&M System, says the pests are hunkered down in the ground where the temperature is cooler.

"A typical fire ant mound will go one to three feet down in the soil," explained Merchant. "So, now they're probably down at the two to three foot level."

Typically fire ants build their mounds right after a rain and they like to build them when temperatures are in the 50's and 60's.

Despite the heat and drought, some people are still seeing mosquitoes, but the numbers are down as breeding sites are drying up.

But Merchant says it's important to keep in mind that the mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile Virus are more active this time of year.