Cow Killer Ant

Today I decided to take Aiden out to the backyard to play and get some time in the sun. After about ten minutes I see this LARGE insect crawling on my deck. At first I think it is a cockroach which unfortunately is fairly common to see in Georgia. Then as I noticed Nikita was right by it and it wasn't running for cover AND it was out in the bright sunlight made me think this was something different. Aiden and I head over to investigate and we find the insect in this picture (which does not do it justice in showing how big it is). I freaked out! I was thinking in my head that I just saw one of those human baby eating ants I have heard stories about. I run Aiden inside and then come out with the 1st thing I grabbed, which I won't tell you and end up soaking the CREATURE with it. I am too much of a chicken to actually step on something so large, just the thought of hearing that crunch makes me want to vomit. I am hoping that the stuff I sprayed it with will kill it.

I then come inside and research what this huge MONSTROSITY is and find that it is a Velvet Ant or more commonly known as a Cow Killer Ant. WHAT??!!! As I read on I find that they don't literally kill cows but that their sting is so powerfully painful that it is said that it COULD kill a cow. This is the bug I have in MY backyard??!! I am now officially thinking it is time to fire our current pest control company and search for a new one! Aiden is also NOT going to be playing in our backyard when he is old enough to walk around unless I am RIGHT by his side. Maybe one day I will get over this and calm down again.... until then, I am sorry Aiden.