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Villa Rica, GA on Aug 20, 2011

Does anyone know what could cause these mounds in a flower bed, they are not in the bermuda lawn right next to this

bed. This has all appeared in the last two weeks. As one pic shows we saw a red and black "on steroid" looking ant, is that the problem and if so how do I get rid of them.

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11 Comments

Steve G Fort Collins, CO

The roid-raged ant looks like a red velvet ant, which is really a kind of wasp that preys on other ground wasps and bees, so your real problem is their prey, not the big red "ants." I would suggest contacting an exterminator for those.

on Aug 20, 2011 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

I learned something new! Velvet ants are indeed parasites of cicada killer wasps, which are almost certainly the mound diggers. see http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/cowk...
Thanks Steve!

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 0
Mike C Villa Rica, GA

so after looking at the link Walter shows, I still don't know what to do about whatever IS making the mounds in the flower bed. If it is cicada wasps can I do anything to get rid of them?

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 0
Kimberly Lacy Snellville, GA

Hi Mike! Kill the Queen. Bring water and about 5 cups of citrus peels to a boil, let it simmer on medium for 10 minutes. Tuck your pants in your boots and be very quite because ants hear very well don't stomp your way to the mound either. Using something with a long handle or a stick, poke a hole in the mound and quickly pour the concoction down the hole before too many ants get out. Don't just stand there get the heck out of dodge because you don't want to be attacked. Repeat these ...»
steps, poke and pour every other day until there are no more ants.

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 1
Paul M Fairburn, GA

If you can be patient then the red velvet ant, they are called cow ants in south Georgia, will take care of the mound builders all by themselves. Unless the mounds are a real problem I would suggest that you just leave them alone and let nature take its course with the predator and the prey.

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 1
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

good advice from Paul. You can control cicada killers by putting a bit of Sevin dust at each entrance so the female walks over it as she brings in her prey.

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

It's a rather rare and beautiful insect. I have picked them up with gloves; they have a stinger that comes out that looks like a harpoon and they also make a fairly loud squalking noise.

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

It's fascinating how this somewhat rare ant finds another somewhat rare wasp that mainly eats cicadas that come out every 7 years.

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 1
Paul M Fairburn, GA

When I was about 8 years old I made the mistake of picking up one of those velvet ants while exclaiming how pretty it was. It didn't take me long to let go and I remember screaming quite a bit because it really hurt. Don't ever pick one up unprotected they are worse than winged wasps when it comes to dealing out pain.

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Fascinating indeed, Peace. The cicadas are deafening in Florida right now. I'm going to have a look around for those other two opportunistic insects.

on Aug 22, 2011 · Like 0
Cheryl F Rocky Mount, NC

Wow...I've never seen one of these - and hope not to! Has anyone ever heard the old method of taking a scoopful (carefully!) of ants from one mound and putting them on another mound (and visa versa) to get rid of the ants? It's worked for me a couple of times - but I always wonder where they go!

on Aug 23, 2011 · Like 0