Yellowjackets and Velvet Ants in the Yard

A couple of days ago, I had a close call while mowing my yard. I ran over a yellowjacket nest that I had not noticed.

The yellowjackets came out of a hole in the ground. I was lucky, I did not get stung.

Yellowjackets and Velvet Ants Close to Home

Yellowjackets are easy to recognize by their bright yellow and black pattern. They are wasps, and they often build nests underground.

That makes them easy to miss until something disturbs the nest. In my case, the mower did the disturbing.

A yellowjacket nest can hold hundreds, sometimes thousands, of wasps. They defend that nest fast when they feel threatened.

Their sting is known for a sharp, burning pain. More than one sting can become serious, so I gave them plenty of room.

Watching a Yellowjacket Nest from a Safe Distance

Once I saw where the yellowjackets were coming from, I kept my distance. That is the safest choice around an active nest.

I also paid closer attention to the ground around me. Small holes in the yard can be easy to overlook.

This was a good reminder that wildlife photography can happen close to home. Sometimes it happens a little too close.

Why This Velvet Ant Caught My Eye

The next day, I noticed another stinging insect near the same area. A velvet ant was crawling along the side of my house.

Despite the name, velvet ants are not true ants. The females are wingless wasps.

The one I saw had a fuzzy look and bold warning colors. That bright orange-red color is a good signal to leave it alone.

Velvet ants have a painful sting. They are sometimes called “cow killers” because of how intense that sting can feel.

They do not go looking for trouble. Still, I would rather admire one with my camera than test that stinger.

Both yellowjackets and velvet ants have a place in the yard. They can act as predators and pollinators.

I was glad to photograph both without getting stung. I will be watching my step more carefully the next time I work in the yard.