Yeah, I stepped on one of the gross-looking hairy ones this morning. Barefoot. And it was in my apartment complex, not even on the sidewalk!
One foot is now twice the size of the other, not to mention partially numb. Stupid bugs.
[ May 09, 2004, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: pH ]
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
Ouch!
Hope you feel better.
Bugs are gross.
[ May 09, 2004, 10:37 PM: Message edited by: MEC ]
Posted by Hot Nathan (Member # 6114) on :
Since she is absent as of present, I'll speak for her. Celia declares her alliegance to you and your war on the creatures she dislikes.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
YUCK!
I have been telling my kids not to touch them, of course, the little ones find them fascinating. Your story just reinforces the need for me to drive that message home.
Feel better!
Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
That's awful! I think they should wage war on you, you animal-killer! You didn't even eat it, did you? Argh, you kill-for-sport people make me sick!
*sigh*
Sorry, camping with vegetarians can play tricks on your mind.
Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :
OW OW OW OW OW OW!
You have my deepest sympathies, I know (all TOO well) how that feels. OW! Cold water helps a bit...not much, though. You have my support in this war. KILL THEM ALL, I say!
Da Goat-step on one. I dare you. These things are public safety hazards, and even vegetarians should join the hunt! These are not animals, they are demonic servants of satan! (lesser servants, stinging people painfully is about all they can do) BUT STILL! they must be DESTROYED!
[ May 09, 2004, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: Toretha ]
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Actually, because the swelling is continuing, my father says that if it spreads into my leg (it's already up to my ankle; the sting was just behind the ball of my foot), I have to go to the hospital.
Die, vile insects!
Posted by BrianM (Member # 5918) on :
You people know nothing about the vileness of insects until you have experienced early July in Alaska. The Mosquito is our state bird.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Caterpillars can sting you?!
Great, one more arthropod to add to the phobia list...
Hope your foot feels better soon!
Dagonee
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
Can you link me to this caterpillar? I've gotta have some "actionable intelligence" if I'm going to declare war on an insect. People would think I'm weird if I just started smashing caterpillars AND spiders.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Apparently, it's called a puss caterpillar. That article has a picture. They're brown and disgusting.
Does anybody know anything more about them? Like, how worried should I be?
Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
Ewwwww
Noone ever told ME caterpillars could sting. I used to play with caterpillars.
From the reading I did, you appear to be having a localized swelling reaction. To reduce inflammation, use ice on it. A bag of frozen vegetables applied for 15 minutes every 4 hours works pretty well. Consider ibuprofen 600mg 3-4 times a day with food (or 2 aleves twice a day) and consider adding benadryl or claritin and follow the instructions on the bottle. That's pretty much what I tell people with bee stings too. And you probably already read about putting tape across the site to peel off any remaining spines from your skin.
A severe systemic reaction would have occurred more quickly, I would think. However any trouble breathing, wheezing, or any swelling in your upper body and you should seek help immediately.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
No... Don't kill them.. they become butterflies and moths which are very benificial and nice... Caterpillars are cute as long as they do not sting... All the ones I've caught even the one bigger than my finger never stung.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
That's because in New England we don't have poisonous things.
Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :
no, kill them. Just that species. The butterflies from them do not even BEGIN to compensate for the evilness of these caterpillars.
Really. You have no idea how the stinging FEELS. Or the trauma caused to all the poor little small children who step on them. Or the parents of those children. Or the adults who step on them.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I bet it's pretty rough on the caterpillar, too.
Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :
that's right, sympathize with them! THEY ARE THE ENEMY! IF YOU"RE NOT WITH US, YOU"RE AGAINST US, AND WE WILL DESTROY YOU ALONG WITH THEM!!!!
*grins* see what finals stress can do????
[ May 10, 2004, 01:17 AM: Message edited by: Toretha ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
pH, you ok? Any more swelling?
Posted by Psycho Triad (Member # 3331) on :
her current AIM away:
quote: Hospital, yo.
So it looks like we finally talked her into it. It only took everyone's insistance, her entire leg being numb, and webMD.com saying to immediately contact a health care professional.
here's hoping she gets better without incident. Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Holy crap.
I'm SO glad to live in LA, where we worry only about easy crap like earthquakes and terrorist attacks and Ahnuld seperating California from the rest of the country.
Worrying about a future role in When Caterpillars Attack! would break my fragile nerves...
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
lalo,
separate!
please!
fallow
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
The doctor said that it was nothing to worry about. He gave me some Benadryl and some painkillers and ice and sent me home.
Now, I have to wait for the pain and the numbness to go away. Caterpillars will pay.
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
Don't you see pH, this is a perfect opportunity to recreate a great moment in literature.
Just think of yourself as Ender, and the caterpillars as the Buggers.
Mwahahahahahahahahaha! Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
Caterpillars don't actually sting, their poison is (I think) stored in those hairs that often run the length of their bodies. Another nonverbal "Hands Off" sign courtesy Mother Nature, so to speak. Of course, stepping on them barefoot stinks. Glad you're beginning to feel better-and I had no idea they were THAT poisonous!
Posted by Xaposert (Member # 1612) on :
Don't make the mistake of declaring war on a near invincble enemy, pH - you cannot win!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Pfft! Invincible?
*squish* *squish* *SQUISH*
Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :
Was it one of those juicy green one with either the blue or red thorn? I was fascinated with those as a child.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Is the moth poisonous too? If not, where does the poison go while they pupate?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'm pretty sure that the poison-tipped spines are shed during pupation.
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
[propaganda]But when they become moths they are able to shoot bigger and more powerful stings with deadly accuracy![/propaganda]
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I have inadvertantly joined your army, and have made an irredeemable enemy of all Caterpillars.
I stepped on one today in my kitchen.
Left quite a mess.
Yuck
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Javert, that would have been a much cooler weapon for Mothra than some cheesy wind.
Learn what they look like. They must all be destroyed. TO WAR!!!
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
No, pH posted a link above to a picture, Alexa.
You are probably referring to hornworms, which are pretty harmless except to gardeners and farmers. One of those pests that I never know quite what to do with. Too cute to kill. Yet I do like having fresh-picked tomatoes, green peppers, etc. Usually, I ended up collecting them off the plants, then dumping them off in the woods or wild fields nearby. Knowing their chances of survival there are zilch: wrong plants foodwise, and too many other critters find them tasty treats.
[ May 10, 2004, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]
Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
Now don't make me come in here...
Mommy Bugga Bugga Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Jeepers, Jenny, it took you long enough!
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
No kidding.. I was expecting you hours ago! Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
ouch, they also destroy flowers...they are hungry and they sting, a bad combo.
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
I demand that the spelling be corrected on the title of this thread.
EVERYONE knows it CAPERTILLAR!
Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
I've been busy planting things for the caterpillars to eat...
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You have my support in this war. KILL THEM ALL, I say!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
People would think I'm weird if I just started smashing caterpillars AND spiders.
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