Comments for
Short, white, fuzzy caterpillar (Flannel moth caterpillar)

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Thank you!
by: Lorraine

This surely did help! I appreciate the fact that you took the time to do research and referred me to a link. Thanks for the advice!
Flannel moth caterpillar, Puss caterpillar
by: Moni

Lorraine
After searching many websites it looks like the best thing to do is to either collect the caterpillars (using heavy rubber gloves or tongs) and putting them in soapy water to kill them, OR letting nature take its course and letting natural predators...a tachinid fly control them(keeping everyone out of the infested area.

Here is a thorough discussion about this caterpillars control - http://bugsinthenews.info/?p=327
Hope this helps
Help please.
by: Lorraine.

I have rose bushes in my front yard and these white fuzzy worms are in alot of the leaves, I was taking them off with a stick but they kept coming back! Also my daughter sat down on a chair not too far from the bushes, and she said something stung her so when she got up the worm was on the chair! I washed her leg with soap and water and about one day later the burning was gone. But is there any easy way to get rid of them? Please help!
WOW!
by: Marcy

So good to know, and glad we did not touch him!
Flannel moth caterpillar
by: Moni

Marcy
You have a caterpillar or the larva of one of the flannel moths. There are multiple generations of these moths in the south where you live. They are found in woodland areas and feed on a wide range of woody plants including apple, almond,birch,elm, hackberry ,oak,orange, pecan,persimmon, scycamore, and rose.

This caterpillar can sting with its venomous hairs. It is said that the sting starts a couple of minutes after contact from the spines on the side of the caterpillar. Pain and itchy burning occurs followed by the spot turning red and in a few more minutes small blisters appear. The blisters last several minutes with the itching lasting several hours and the redness lasts a day or more. People sensitive to insect stings should seek medical attention.
To reduce pain and irritation use tape to pull out some of the broken spines in the sting area. Washing the area thoroughly with soap and water and as some suggest, poultices of potato or ginger root may help remove some of the irritating venom. Prompt application of an ice pack or baking soda may help to reduce pain and prevent swelling. Antihistaminic drugs, used for other insect stings, are reportedly ineffective.

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