Biology of the Velvet Ant
Velvet ants are not ants at all but rather solitary female wasps. These ants parasitize bee and wasp nests. The females are quite large (up to 1/2 inch), wingless, very hairy and colored bright orange or red with black in between. The sting from one of these wasps is one of the most painful of any insect.
Velvet Ant Control
Most of the time only one of these wasps is seen at a time, posing no problem. But at times there are many located in one area. Spraying with a Cypermethrin compound will keep these wasps and ants under control.
Cypermethrin
Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that is very safe to humans, pets and wildlife but is very effective against a wide range of insects including ants, fire ants, roaches, spiders and crickets.
Examples of products containing Cypermethrin are:
Ant articles home page
1-800-226-8370
e-Bug Products - Do It Yourself Pest Control
