These wasps are present well into the fall, but do not survive the winter. In order to control hornets, the nest of large, angry wasps must be eliminated. Proceed with extreme caution. Finally, a medium-sized wasp named the velvet ant may also be present in lawns or pastures. These solitary wasps, as the name implies, are densely covered with hair.
Males have wings, but females are wingless, and are sometimes confused with ants.
Velvet ants are either shades of brown or red and black, and females will sting if encountered. Many aerosol or pressurized sprays are available and provide quick knockdown. The best time to eliminate wasp nests is at night, when most workers are in the hive and resting. It is a good idea to prop a flashlight up, pointing at the entrance of the nest, but spray from a different spot. Wasps will go to the source of light rather than the source of spray.