It certainly can't be normal for someone to fixate and abhor a species of caterpillar like I do. Most of the year I love the oak tree that stands in front of our house. Unfortunately it is a great food source for caterpillars. It all started a few days ago when I noticed itty bitty caterpillars on my porch. I knew that the onslaught would be coming soon. Sure enough, today I saw hundreds of creepy clumps clinging to the trunk of my oak.

If Buckmoths were simply munching away at my tree that would be one thing. I'm ok with them snacking on the leaves. After stepping on one accidentally a few years ago I am truly afraid every time I go outside and I never go out barefoot when they are around.

Buckmoths STING. They can leave a nasty purple splotch on you even after brushing your arm against them. There is little treatment to be found once stung. You can try to get the stingers out with tape or apply baking soda but you're pretty much stuck with your wound for days. In my case, I still have a scar on the arch of my foot. The worst case scenario is if you have an allergic reaction and you stop breathing. Buckmoth caterpillars are killers and I hate them. I will not be leaving the house until mid-May.