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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, March 4 ... Pot grows illegal on rural residential land in Jackson County ... Oregon lawmakers pass housing bills as session ends ... Emergency services, March 4 ... Pot grows illegal on rural residential land in Jackson County ... Oregon lawmakers pass housing bills as session ends ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Ants thrive in warm, mild winter weather Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News I've always marked the beginning of spring by the arrival of ants in my kitchen. After a week or two of all-out war, I usually get the best of the critters. This year, I've been inundated by ants since January; they seem to really love the coffee maker. Are we in for an especially bad insect year? — Ralph K., Medford Rick Hilton, an entomologist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, assures us ants will always be with us, no matter what. "I think ants like coffee makers," Hilton said. "Ever since drip coffee makers were invented, they've been there; ants like moisture." When the winters are warm and mild, ants always seem to start off at high levels, he said, but other factors can come into play. "With ants, there is no easy, hard and fast answer," Hilton said. "If it's too wet, it drives them out of the ground and into the house. Generally speaking, the warmer it is, the better insects do. That's why there are so many in the tropics while we have it comparatively easier here." If ants are trouble, you can assume other bugs will be amped as well. "Yellow jackets overwinter as adults," Hilton said. "During drought, the queens produce more generations per year. Then when it gets warm, the populations are much higher and generally have better success." Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501