VELVET ANT STINGS

Common in most parts of the world including the Southern and Southwestern United States, velvet ants are not true ants but rather parasitic wasps. Their sting—like that of other wasps, fire ants, bees, yellow jackets, and hornets -- can trigger allergic reactions varying greatly in severity. Avoidance and prompt treatment are essential. In selected cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective. (The three "A’s" of insect allergy are Adrenaline, Avoidance and Allergist.)