HELP!! Large Red Velvet Ants - Threat or Not?

[luvliebee]

Dasymutilla occidentalis (red velvet ant or eastern velvet ant)



We have these bugs.

The website said they deliver a painful sting and are called "Cow Killers." We have not been stung by them, we avoid them, but we need to know if these will be dangerous for our chickens.

If they are dangerous, how do you get rid of them.

 

[centrarchid]

I have been stung them, right of passage as a child. They are not a threat to chickens. The bright coloration chickens seem to respect and a good sting will educate those not respecting bright red and black color pattern. The wasp will not attack and stings only defensively. Bumble bees and possibly solitary bees are on parties that must worry about these dudetts.