Some Scary North Dakota Critters You Might See this Summer

KX News reports that Ted Krueger, a farmer in Harvey, tragically lost two of his Montana Traveler horses to blister beetles. Ted told the news station that he found his horses, Spirit and Roo, laying near their knocked-down fence. He thought maybe they overindulged on some delicious green grass, but they were actually dying from consuming blister beetles. Now, Ted is warning other North Dakotans to watch for the deadly bugs.

Even though summer is the time that North Dakotans live their most carefree lives, safety can be a big issue. The sun, the water, and the critters can be unforgiving this time of year. The bugs and animals can be the scariest thing because they can catch any unsuspecting person (or pet) entirely off-guard.

Here are some of the nastiest critters (mostly bugs) you may encounter during a North Dakota summer:

• ASSASSIN BUGS - Insectidentification.org states that the Assassin Bug has a single fang that is used to kill bugs and stab enemies! The bug's fang may cause a painful puncture, but you can count on these bugs to keep your garden safe from the pesky insects that will ruin it.
• COW KILLERS - Insectidentifcation.org says that a Cow Killer is a type of wingless wasp that has a sting so powerful that a single one could allegedly kill a cow. You might find these bugs crawling around grass, walls, and even patios.
• TICKS - According to North Dakota State University, Deer Ticks and Dog Ticks are common in North Dakota. Deer ticks are known for carrying Lyme Disease. They are stealthy when they grab on to humans or animals and you should check every little bit of your body when looking for them.
• RATTLESNAKES - The National Park Service says that Prairie Rattlesnakes exist in North Dakota's badlands and that they can grow up to five feet long! Under the website's "bite" section, anyone bitten is advised to call 9-1-1 immediately.

What creepy and dangerous bugs or animals have you encountered in North Dakota?

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