At first, I thought it was nothing — just a bit of
fuzz caught in my seatbelt. But then… it twitched.
That single, almost imperceptible movement sent a jolt through me. My curiosity
turned into unease, and my unease quickly became horror.
I wasn’t looking at a piece of lint. My car had been
infiltrated by something most people have only seen in unsettling viral videos
— Solifugae, more commonly called camel spiders, sun spiders,
or wind scorpions.
They weren’t supposed to be here. And yet, they were.
Nature’s Uninvited
Passengers
Camel spiders aren’t venomous, but don’t let that lull
you into a sense of safety. They’re fast — unnervingly fast — and their sheer
appearance is enough to make even the calmest driver slam the brakes.
The first one I spotted had wedged itself between my
seatbelt and the upholstery, its legs gripping the fabric with an alien-like
precision.
I wish I could say it was alone.
Moments later, I noticed others — some tucked into the
narrow seams of the backseat, others lurking near the door hinges. They were
perfectly camouflaged against the car’s dark interior, so easy to overlook
unless you were looking for them.
The Bite You Don’t Want to
Experience
While camel spiders won’t inject venom, their bite is
far from harmless. It’s a mechanical injury — sharp, forceful, and capable of
tearing the skin. Victims report intense pain, swelling, redness, and, in some
cases, infections if the wound isn’t cleaned promptly.
The thought of one of these creatures skittering
across my leg while driving… I don’t even want to finish that sentence.
Why They’re Attracted to
Your Car
Camel spiders thrive in dry, warm environments.
If you’ve parked your vehicle near brush, woodpiles, or dusty open fields,
you’ve essentially rolled out the welcome mat.
Once inside, they can find countless hiding spots:
under seats, in vents, between upholstery seams, or even inside the trunk
lining. And because they’re nocturnal hunters, you might not spot them until
you’re face-to-face — or worse, until one brushes against your skin.
How to Keep Them Out — And
Away
- Vacuum Your Car Thoroughly – Remove every
crumb and trace of dirt from floor mats, seat seams, and trunk spaces.
- Seal Entry Points – Check
for gaps in door seals or cracks in trim where small creatures can slip
through.
- Avoid Risky Parking Areas – Don’t
leave your car in overgrown, brushy, or debris-filled spots where camel
spiders hunt.
- Use Natural Repellents –
Peppermint oil, citrus sprays, or vinegar solutions can help keep them at
bay without harsh chemicals.
- Keep Food Out of the Car –
Leftover food doesn’t just attract ants or roaches — it can also lure in
other pests that camel spiders prey upon.
The Lesson That Stuck With
Me
That day was a reminder that nature doesn’t always
announce its arrival. Sometimes, it slips quietly into your world — waiting,
hidden, until the moment you least expect.
Now, before I drive, I always check my car more
closely. Because once you’ve locked eyes with a camel spider in your own
vehicle, you realize something unsettling: it’s not your car anymore… at
least not until they decide to leave.
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