Deadliest Creature On Earth Is Now In Minnesota In Alarming Numbers

Based on movies and social media feeds, you'd think the deadliest creatures on earth exist in a tropical rainforest, deep in a jungle, or some other place far away from Minnesota. However, that is not the truth.

While Minnesotans don't generally have to worry about encountering the number of dangerous creatures that can be found elsewhere, there are scary threats to those who enjoy spending time outdoors. For example, earlier this year, it was confirmed that the potentially deadly Powassan was on the rise in the state.

Powassan virus is spread by the blacklegged tick (deer tick), as well as by groundhog ticks and squirrel ticks, but these latter two rarely bite humans.

The Powassan virus disease has no specific treatment or vaccine available, and about 10% of people with severe Powassan virus disease will die, while about half of the survivors will experience long-term neurological problems, including memory problems, recurring headaches, and loss of muscle mass and strength.

Thankfully, Powassan virus is still rare in Minnesota, but that is not the case for the deadliest creature on earth, which is found in abundance throughout the state. This year, experts say they are here in staggering numbers.

The Deadliest Creatures On Earth

For perspective, BBC Science Focus says the 10th-deadliest creature on the planet is the lion, which kills 200 humans per year. Then at #9 are hippos (killing 500 humans per year), followed by #8 elephants (killing 600 humans per year), #7 crocodiles (killing 1,000 humans per year), #6 scorpions (killing 3,300 humans per year), #5 assassin bugs (killing 10,000 humans per year by spreading the deadly Chagas disease), #4 dogs (killing 59,000 humans per year, mostly from rabies), #3 snakes (killing 138,000 humans per year), and #2 humans (killing 400,000 humans per year via homicide).

However, none can compare to the creature that sits atop this list. Despite weighing just 2.5 milligrams, these "silent feeders" kill a whopping 725,000 humans each year by spreading an array of diseases, including malaria, West Nile virus, Dengue Fever, Zika virus, Yellow Fever, and Chikungunya.

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The deadliest creature on Earth is the mosquito, the tiny flying menace that has been the cause of much death worldwide, thanks to its disgusting ability to spread disease, and it has steered the course of human history on multiple occasions.

Mosquitoes are indeed deadly, with the majority of mosquito-related deaths occurring outside of the United States. Malaria infection is particularly bad in Africa, with the region accounting for 95% of cases and 96% of deaths worldwide. Tragically, children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in that region.

According to the World Health Organisation, “malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of some infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.”

Minnesota Is Predicted To have A Bad Mosquito Season

Earlier this year, experts predicted that Minnesota would have a particularly bad mosquito season in 2025, potentially the worst in at least five years.

They expect a surge in mosquito populations, with some species expected to be four times more abundant than last year. This increase is largely attributed to the wet conditions in the state last summer, which created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, mosquitoes can carry and transmit several diseases within the state. This occurs when mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected animals, then transmit the virus to humans when they bite them.

The most common disease spread by mosquitoes in Minnesota is the West Nile virus, which was first detected in the state in 2002 and has since become the most frequently reported mosquito-borne illness.

West Nile virus often causes mild flu-like symptoms, but it can also lead to severe illness, such as encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and meningitis, which involves inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. In extreme cases, it can lead to death.

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Other diseases mosquitoes can spread in the state include La Crosse encephalitis, which primarily affects children and can lead to inflammation of the brain, Jamestown Canyon virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis.

How To Best Prevent Mosquito Bites In Minnesota

Avoiding mosquito bites may seem impossible, but experts suggest the following tips to at least limit the number of mosquito bites:

• Keep mosquitoes away from exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
• Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to cover gaps in your clothing where mosquitoes can get to your skin.
• Stay indoors when possible, especially if there is a mosquito-borne disease warning in effect.
• Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents when necessary and follow label directions and precautions closely.
• Use head nets, long sleeves, and long pants if you venture into areas with high mosquito populations, such as salt marshes.
• Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights, which tend to attract fewer mosquitoes than ordinary lights. The yellow lights are NOT repellents, however.

Also, to keep mosquitoes outside and not in your home, you should cover all gaps in walls, doors, and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Also, make sure window and door screens are in good working order, and completely cover baby carriers and beds with netting.

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