Bugs in Montana? Afraid so! Montana is pretty close to perfect when it comes to the great outdoors. But lurking in the trees and hills and hiding in the shadows are some seriously creepy bugs. If you come across one of these insects or spiders, you should do your best to avoid making contact. While not all of them are dangerous insects in Montana, it’s always best to keep your distance!

1. Blister Beetle
David Hill/Flickr
When squeezed, the Blister Beetle ejects a chemical toxin that irritates the skin. It's one of the more unpleasant insects of Montana.
2. Cow Killer
David Hill/Flickr
If you come across a Cow Killer, take extreme measures not to touch it. It has a ferocious sting.
3. Giant Water Bug
Rehman Chughtai/Flickr
This bug uses its small pincers to catch prey like frogs, small fish and even snakes. But it also uses the pincers to be a jerk. They are called "toe biters" because they’ll pinch your toes if you get too close. Yikes, you'll want to avoid these bugs in Montana.
4. Black and Yellow Garden Spider
Teddy Fotiou/Flickr
Between the scary yellow and black pattern and the fact that the females get enormous, this spider is terrifying to anyone with arachnophobia (or anyone, really).
5. Great Golden Digger Wasp
Roy Niswanger/Flickr
This wasp actually isn’t aggressive despite its bright color. But that doesn’t mean it won’t sting you if it feels threatened.

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6. Masked Hunter
imarsman/Flickr
The Masked Hunter is a type of Assassin Bug, meaning it stabs its prey to death with its beak (which it also uses to "bite" humans). These bugs are nocturnal and feed off bed bugs, so if you see one in your home, you've probably got bigger issues to deal with.
7. Nursery Web Spider
tehsma/Flickr
These spiders are named for the excellent care they take of their egg sacs. Their bites aren’t venomous, but we still wouldn’t want to get in between this mama and her babies.
8. Yellow Jacket
Macroscopic Solutions/Flickr
This is one of the most aggressive wasps with an exceptionally painful sting.
9. Tick
Karolina Kabat/Flickr
Ticks are blood-slurping, disease-spreading little parasites. Check your clothing for them after every hike. These are common bugs in Montana, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.
10. Black Widow Spider
Care_SMC/Flickr
Let that red belly be a warning. A Black Widow’s bite can be fatal, especially to children and the elderly. As one of the most dangerous insects in Montana, you want to avoid this spider at all costs.

What do you think about these bugs in Montana? Have you had any creepy bug encounters recently?

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Jessica Bohl | July 14, 2022

What are some dangerous animals in Montana?

There are dangerous animals in Montana that visitors should be aware of and know, especially if you adventure often in the outdoors. For instant, grizzly bears can inflict serious or deadly injury to humans. For that reason, many people carry bear spray and learn how to handle a grizzly sighting. Montana also has the venomous snake, the western rattlesnake. Cougars also can be dangerous to humans and live in Montana, so always be knowledgeable about where you will be hiking, camping, or otherwise adventuring.

What are some risks about living in Montana?

There are some risks with living in Montana. For instance, there is a volcano in Yellowstone that could impact two thirds of the country if it erupted. So fingers crossed this super volcano stays quiet. An event that unfortunately occurs quite often in Montana is a car collision with deer, elk, or moose. These collisions can cause quite a lot of damage and even death, so always be mindful of this risk. With all of the outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking, and boating, there is risk of injury. So always approach these activities with caution. And with a lot of snow falling in Montana, there is always the risk of getting snowed in or stuck somewhere when the roads become dangerous to drive. So keep all these risks in mind and be responsible out there!

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