06/20/18 — WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WFMY) -- If you're braving the heat and spending time outside, you might come across some warm weather pests.
One you may not know about is a venomous caterpillar. Scott McNeely with McNeely Pest Control says these guys are called "puss caterpillars" because they resemble a cats tail.
You don't want to touch one of them. McNeely says he had the painful experience of getting stung.
"It like burns. It's like this super intense burning sensation and it's like man what was that. It doesn't feel exactly like a bee sting, but those hair like barbs still into you," says McNeely.
Here are some things you need to know about this poisonous pest:
- They feed on hardwoods like Oak and Elm trees
- They are up to one inch long and are covered in long grayish or tan hair
- If get stung, you can use tape to get the hairs out
- You'll also want to put cortisone cream or an antihistamine on the sting.
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