Preferred hunting grounds are areas of bare or sparsely vegetated soil. Apparently our dry weather has led to larger numbers Uds season. We have received a number of calls about them. Due to thevelvet ant's unusual appearance, many callers think they are seeing a tropical invader. Some cauers are certain they have found fire ants.
Females velvet ants have a very painful sting.
Velvet ants are also capable of making a squeaking sound, called stridulation, that may serve to frighten off too curious onlookers. No control is necessary. Admire them from a safe distance for the beautiful insects that they are. The cause is nothing more than heat and drought. I noticed that the leaves of V setigerum, Tea Viburnum, turn black as they wilt rather than brown and crispy like many others.