Some of Montana's Most Creepy Crawlies: Have You Seen One Lately?

Within this great state of Montana, there are some of the most beautiful sites in the world. However, right in the middle of our beautiful background, there is a virtual breeding ground for insects and arachnids. Hiding in the shadows our mountains and terrain are some extremely creepy and dangerous bugs. Making contact with one of these insects or arachnids can cause severe or just straight scary sicknesses.

1. Black and Yellow Garden Spider[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></v:path> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"></o:lock> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="image16.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1036" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:12pt;width:101.65pt; height:108.65pt;z-index:251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt; mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

Not only are the yellow and black markings on this spider scary, but the fact that the females can become ginormous can leave any person running for the hills.

2. Black Widow Spider[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image12.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1035" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:9pt;width:119.65pt;height:89.6pt;z-index:251659264; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

The deadliest spider in North America, enough said. The Black Widow’s bite is extremely dangerous and can be lethal to children or the elderly. Also, they are extremely common in Western and South-Eastern Montana.

3. Bed Bugs

[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image17.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1034" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:0;width:146.25pt;height:94.15pt;z-index:251660288; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

This disgusting little creature will bring a posse of followers to ravage a home, animals, and you. The little brown marks they leave on your bed is your blood and others being dropped as insect feces. Great HUH!!!

4. Blister Beetle[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image15.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1033" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:-9pt;margin-top:29.25pt;width:142.15pt; height:99.05pt;z-index:251661312;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt; mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif][if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image20.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1032" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:143.25pt;margin-top:26.65pt;width:77.65pt; height:104.1pt;z-index:251662336;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt; mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

If handled in the wrong manner, the Blister Beetle will release chemical toxins onto your skin that will leave your skin extremely irritated.

5. The Bald-Face Hornet[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image22.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1031" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:9.75pt;width:152.55pt;height:101.65pt;z-index:251663360; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image011.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

The Bald-Faced Hornet is black and white and helpful to humans, but keep your distance as you watch them work.

6. Western Conifer Seed Bug[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image14.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:9.75pt;width:138.7pt;height:103.9pt;z-index:251664384; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image013.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

The Western Conifer Seed Bug might not be deadly in anyway. However, they do have the power to stink away a skunk.

7. Hobo Spider[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image21.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:9.75pt;width:172.15pt;height:128.95pt;z-index:251665408; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image015.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

These protective spiders will only bite if they are provoked, which usually happens in dark secluded areas of your dwelling or surrounding areas. Their webs can be identified as horizontal funnel shaped. Steer clear of this creepy crawler.

8. Yellow Jacket[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image11.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:.75pt;margin-top:10.5pt;width:135.4pt;height:100.7pt;z-index:251666432; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

The yellow jacket is one flying insect that we all know too well. They are aggressive and can leave a very painful sting.

9. Tick[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image19.jpg" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:6.75pt;width:125.45pt;height:83.65pt;z-index:251667456; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image019.jpg" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

Ticks simply feed off of the blood of their victims leaving disgusting and sometimes sickening parasites on their victims. If you live in an area that is surrounded by lots of shrubbery and trees, make sure to check yours and your children’s skin regularly.

10. Cow Killer[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image13.png" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:-7.5pt;margin-top:6.75pt;width:158.65pt;height:120.95pt;z-index:251668480; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:9pt;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:allowincell="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lbenson\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image021.png" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]