OVIEDO, Fla. – You have likely seen Tussock moth caterpillars around your home or at local parks in the past few weeks. These hairy insects can give you a rash if you touch them.
The caterpillars are all over the city of Oviedo, and officials are urging residents to be cautious. While they do not sting, they can irritate your skin upon contact.
“We’re asking people to just be mindful of them. Parents and visitors, if you bring your kids to the park and you see one, don’t play with it. They feel like fiberglass on your fingertips if you touch them,” City of Oviedo Communications Manager Lisa McDonald said.
These Florida natives emerge this time of year, covering trees and structures as they search for places to make their cocoons.
“Caterpillars are an incredibly important piece of our ecosystem. They’re food for all sorts of creatures,” said Adam Dale, an associate professor of Entomology at the University of Florida.
Insect experts like Dale recommend using gloves or an object, such as a credit card, to move them and avoid direct contact.
“They have little spines on them that can break off into your skin, causing irritation,” he explained. “They look like little brushes along their back, but those are the ones you don’t want to come into contact with.”
If you do come in contact with a tussock moth caterpillar, here is what to do:
- Remove any hairs with tape.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply ice or baking soda and water paste to soothe the skin.
Dale warns that even their cocoons have those irritating hairs, so if you want to clear an area of them once they have become moths, use a broom.
