Caterpillars, despite their small size, deliver a surprising amount of stings. While most caterpillars are innocuous, a few poisonous caterpillars in the United States can cause injury to humans who come into contact with them. Caterpillars of the io moth, spiny oak slug, saddleback, puss, flannel moth, gypsy moth, slug, and buck moth are among them. Consult Orange County pest control today to learn more. 

Caterpillars eat on leaves, developing from eggs into pupa and adult moths. Unintentional human contact happens when individuals come into contact with caterpillars they are unaware of. That is something that may easily happen in a yard or garden. Avoiding contact is especially difficult for persons who operate in caterpillar-infested regions.

Do caterpillars bite? 

The spines, small hairs (setae), or quills on a caterpillar’s body cause most issues when exposed to dangerous caterpillars. These hairs or spines are linked to toxin-producing glands. When you come into contact with these stinging spines or hairs, they can break off in your skin as part of the caterpillar’s protection system, releasing a little dosage of that poison. Some of them trigger allergic responses. 

Some of these insects have toxins that can induce poisoning. However, this is uncommon in the United States. Some caterpillars’ setae can drift in the breeze and settle on skin, eyes, and clothes; gypsy moth caterpillars are notorious for this. A young child will occasionally do what all young children do: pick up something intriguing and try to eat it. 

Are all fuzzy caterpillars poisonous? 

Brightly colored caterpillars with bristles, spines, or a fuzzy look are likely poisonous and should not be touched. However, knowing which caterpillars to avoid handling may not be enough to save you from getting stung. It might be difficult to avoid poisonous caterpillar exposure since they frequently eat on the underside of leaves and are difficult to spot. Wearing a hat and gloves while gardening might be beneficial.

What does a caterpillar rash look like? 

Caterpillar stings occur when the poisonous caterpillar’s stinging hairs or spines come into contact with human skin. Pain, itching, and a rash are all frequent symptoms. It is possible to get blistering and edema. Eye discomfort is to be feared if setae blow into the eyes. (Some caterpillars can produce more significant clinical symptoms; this is not normally expected in the United States.)

A history of caterpillar exposure simplifies diagnosis. If caterpillar encounter is not documented, symptoms might resemble various illnesses. Caterpillar venom exposure can cause skin redness, welts, itching, swelling, and blisters. Headache and nausea are other possible side effects. If you have come into contact with a caterpillar and are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.