I found this bug in a bucket of water after a rain. It's 3 inches long and I wanna know what it is!
I've NEVER seen a bug THIS big!

OK, so after calming down I went to "what'sthatbug.com" and found this to be a Giant Water Bug or Toe Biter. They are the biggest true bug in North America. Yuck.

...and I see someone's toes in that picture!

I didn't even notice that!!
I was in a panic after I found this because I thought it was a beetle. Our old Maple that we cut down was full of huge grubs and I thought might be the larva of this thing. And I had also hoped that it wasn't an Asian Longhorned Beetle because it would have been the first to be found in this area.
I ended up letting the ugly thing go, but AWAY from the house and pool!!

I bet you are wearing shoes now!