If you're a long-time reader of this blog, you may recall that in 2011, Mazda had to recall 65,000 cars when it was discovered that spiders had taken a fancy to nesting in the fuel system of their Mazda6 sedan.
You wouldn't think it would be that hard to outwit spiders, but apparently that wasn't the end of it, as this was announced a few days ago:
DETROIT (AP) — Mazda is recalling 42,000 Mazda6 cars in the U.S. because spiders can weave a web in a vent hose and cause the fuel tank to crack.
At the same time, spiders have been successful at confusing writers at many news outlets who headlined this story "Mazda Recalling Cars Due to Danger From Insect."
The yellow sac spider, which is attracted to hydrocarbons, builds webs that cause pressure to build in the fuel tank. That increases the risk of fuel leaks and fire.
Mazda recalled cars in 2011 for the same problem. It put covers on the vent line, but has found spiders can get past them.
Score: arachnids 2, major human corporations 0.
Photo of a much safer spider attack on a car, thoughtfully chosen so as not to freak the spiderphobic among you, by Flickr user Amanda.
Every Fall the spiders find their way into my pool heater and lay their eggs in the eight gas jet apertures. As soon as the heater tries to light and fail I have to spend a half-hour taking the nozzles out and poking out the spider egg-sacs that clog them. Friggin' spiders. So useful, so annoying.
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