Do Velvet Ants Sting? Are They Dangerous?
Short answer: the velvet ant can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Its sting is famously painful, earning it the name cow killer, but it is not deadly and it isn't aggressive.
Risk rating: Can bite or sting
Its sting is famously painful, earning it the name cow killer, but it is not deadly and it isn't aggressive.
Are velvet ants dangerous to humans?
Its sting is famously painful, earning it the name cow killer, but it is not deadly and it isn't aggressive.
On our four-level scale, the velvet ant is rated can bite or sting, meaning it can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Velvet Ants can sting, so it is worth handling them with care.
Are they dangerous to pets?
Velvet Ants can bite or sting curious pets that paw at them or try to eat them. Watch for swelling, drooling or limping, and call your veterinarian right away if your pet has trouble breathing or a large reaction.
Can they damage your home or garden?
Velvet Ants don't damage homes or gardens in any meaningful way.
What to do if you are stung
- Move away from the area to avoid more stings.
- If a stinger is left in the skin, scrape it out sideways with a fingernail or card.
- Wash with soap and water and apply a cold pack.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever or antihistamine if needed, following the label.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
How to identify velvet ants
Not an ant at all but a wingless female wasp covered in bright red, velvety hair. It runs across sandy ground in summer and lays eggs in the nests of ground-nesting bees.
- Dense, bright red or orange fuzz with black bands
- Wingless females that run quickly over sand
- Squeaks when handled
| Scientific name | Dasymutilla occidentalis |
|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps |
| Size | 15–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in) |
| Colors | Red and Black |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No (as usually seen) |
| Where found | Lawn or grass and Yard or patio |
| Most active | Summer |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Can bite or sting |
When you'll see velvet ants
Velvet Ants are most active in summer. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: lawn or grass and yard or patio.
About bees & wasps
The velvet ant is one of the bees & wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
How to avoid problems with velvet ants
You don't need to control velvet ants. If one is in the way, gently move it outdoors with a cup and a piece of paper. Its sting is famously painful, earning it the name cow killer, but it is not deadly and it isn't aggressive.
Frequently asked questions
Do velvet ants bite?
No. Its sting is famously painful, earning it the name cow killer, but it is not deadly and it isn't aggressive.
Do velvet ants sting?
Yes, they can sting.
Are velvet ants poisonous?
The velvet ant can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Its sting is famously painful, earning it the name cow killer, but it is not deadly and it isn't aggressive.
Where do velvet ants live?
Velvet Ants are usually found in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios, and are most active in summer.