The yellow sac spider will be featuring heavily in my nightmares tonight, I can assure you. File this under you can't make this stuff up. Mazda is issuing a recall because spiders (YES, SPIDERS) have crawled into as many as 52,000 2009-2010 Mazda 6s.

Dear God, I seriously almost passed out just typing those words. Once inside the charcoal evaporative canister, they can spin webs inside the vent line, which block airflow and decrease overall performance in the car.

According to Mazda, the spiders (dear God, the SPIDERS) haven't caused any fires or any other casualties, so far. But recalled cars will have a spring valve installed to prevent the spiders from getting into the vent line. As a remedy, Mazda dealers will inspect and clean the canister line and install a spring to prevent spider infestation.

First there were snakes on a plane ... now spiders in your car. Honestly, I would blow up my car before I would ride in it again after this. To make matters worse, these aren't run of the mill, casual spiders. In fact, these are biting spiders.

OK, so all spiders bite. But these are venomous and, though not fatal, are usually quite painful. A person usually develops redness, swelling, and itching near the site of the bite -- somewhat akin to a wasp sting. Their bites are often misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites.

Can you imagine if you had a colony of these in your car? OK, stop imagining that. It's too horrifying.

Apparently, this isn't the first time that spiders have caused problems for consumers. They can also crawl into the canisters on gas grills and obstruct the flow there, too. They crawl in, spin webs, build nests, and lay eggs in the grill's gas, which can cause the backed-up heat to "flashback," possibly severely injuring people. 

Mazda isn't sure how the spiders entered the cars, according to the LA Times and Jeremy Barnes, a spokesman for Mazda North American Operations:

We really don't know how they're getting in. I'd think it would be pretty tricky, but spiders are resourceful.

His best guess was that the freaky crawlies are slipping in behind the gas cap and then sneaking down the hose. Shudder.

So, they bite and destroy cars and grills. Will they stop at nothing? I'm not sure I will sleep tonight after reading this story. Did I mention I have a Mazda? Mine is a 5, but seriously, who is counting. All I know is I want my blankie and a glass of wine to make it all go away.

If you are on this recall list ... pray. It's all that's left ... just kidding. Actually, you should wait for your letter. Letters will be mailed to owners of affected vehicles beginning at the end of this month. And if you see a burning car somewhere on the East Coast, you'll know I got one.

Does this terrify you?

 

Image via Eran Finkle/Flickr