Sometimes the Harmless are NOT. Cow Ants or Cow Killer Ants
These hairy creatures are found just about everywhere, and you really want to leave them alone.
I got a good lesson about Cow Ants yesterday, accidentally.
There is no way I would want to purposely have this lesson taught to me!
I've always heard these red cute little things referred to as "Cow Ants". After getting stung by one yesterday, I have a new name for them. It would be best if I did not put that name in here.... :) I "Googled" them.. Cow Ants or Killer Cow Ants are actually wasps. The knowledge that they are really wasps, was the second lesson I learned about cow ants yesterday.
The first lesson dealt to me was "Do not lay your arm on a Cow Ant". I was on the phone with a client yesterday at home... I walked out onto the patio to get better cell reception, sat down at a picnic table and laid my arm on the hot tub cover next to the table.
Instant Pain! Really Painful!
As I was dealing with that, the pain stopped... and I thought OK, this is not so bad. About two minutes later the pain returned in full force and the swelling started.
The photo of my arm was taken about 24 hours later. Still painful, still swollen. I haven't taken anything, but Benadryl may be in order.
The Dasymutilla occidntalis, commonly called the Cow Ant, is a very misleading l little insect! Harmless - NO! If you find several of these around your home, call the Pest Exterminator! Pronto!
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