What I didn’t know until that moment was that even the shed skin can pose a danger. The tiny spines embedded in the skin can break off, irritate skin, and in rare cases cause more serious reactions if inhaled or touched. My mind raced—how had this ended up under my seat? Had it been there for days? Weeks? Was there still a live one hiding in the car?
I decided not to take any chances. I called pest control immediately, explaining what I’d found. Within an hour, a specialist arrived wearing gloves and protective eyewear. They confirmed my identification and explained that while encounters like this are rare, it’s always better to be overly cautious. They carefully removed the skin, sealed it in a safe container for disposal, and then went over my car inch by inch—checking the air vents, under the mats, inside the upholstery seams, and even under the hood.
The inspection turned up no live caterpillars, which was a huge relief. Still, I couldn’t shake the unsettling thought that I had been driving around with something so dangerous just inches away from me, hidden in plain sight.
Since that day, my habits have changed. I now keep gloves in my glove compartment, avoid touching any unknown object with bare hands, and treat unusual finds seriously—no matter how small they seem. My car still feels like my safe space, but I’ve learned that nature doesn’t always respect the boundaries we imagine.
That odd discovery under my seat was more than just a strange story—it was a reminder that sometimes danger doesn’t announce itself. It hides quietly, waiting to be found.
Have you ever discovered something unexpected in your car or home? Share your story—it might just help someone else stay safe.