by Natalie Boomer

Brown tail moth caterpillars have been spotted in Washington County throughout the past few weeks.

Although these small creatures may look harmless, they can actually cause severe reactions.

If you see a brown caterpillar with a broken white stripe on each side and two red/orange spots on the tail end, steer clear.

They have tiny poisonous hairs that can cause a skin rash that is similar to poison ivy. They can also cause breathing issues and other respiratory problems.