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Can Insects Predict the Weather? Insect & Spider Weather Folklore Explained

Image Credit:
Getty Images
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Ever wondered if the creepy crawlies around your garden know more about tomorrow’s weather than your local forecast? From ants to spiders to woolly bear caterpillars, nature has its own weather predictors. Here’s a look at the insect and spider folklore that’s been used for centuries to anticipate rain, frost, and sunny days.

Is there some truth to it? You decide!

Insect Weather Folklore

Observe ants, bees, crickets, hornets, houseflies, and other insects. Their activity tells us whether the weather will be cold, warm, windy, or fair! 

  • See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest.
  • If anthills are high in July, the coming winter will be hard.
  • When cicadas are heard, dry weather will follow, and frost will come in 6 weeks.
  • If ants their walls do frequently build, rain will from the clouds be spilled.
  • When bees to distance wing their flight, days are warm and skies are bright; But when their flight ends near their home, stormy weather is sure to come.
  • Flies gather in houses just before the rain.
  • The early arrival of crickets on the hearth means an early winter.
  • The more quickly crickets chirp, the warmer the temperature. 

Read more about gathering weather information from cricket chirps!

close up of a hornets on a hornets' nest in a tree
Bald-faced hornets make nests in trees at varying heights. How high or low may predict snow.

Spider Folklore

Of course, spiders are arachnids, not insects, but we include these creepy crawlies here! Can spiders predict winter weather? What do you think?

Observe spiders and their webs closely to gauge the weather:

  • Spiders spinning larger-than-usual webs is a sign of a cold winter to come.
  • When spiders’ webs in air do fly, the spell will soon be very dry.
  • When spiderwebs are wet with dew that soon dries, expect a fine day.
  • Spiderwebs floating at autumn sunset; bring a night frost, on this you may bet.
  • Spiders move down from their webs before rain.
glistening spider web
Large spiderwebs in autumn indicate a frost.

The Woolly Worms’ Bands

Many of you may have heard of the woolly bear caterpillar’s ability to forecast winter weather. These caterpillars (also called woolly worms) have black and brown bands; according to folklore, more black than brown indicates a harsh, cold winter, while more brown than black points to a mild winter. Read more about woolly worms as meteorologists!

woolly bear caterpillar (aka woolly worm) on a red maple leaf
Do the bands of the woolly worm predict the winter weather?

Reptiles & Amphibians

Observe reptiles and amphibians as weather predictors too! 

  • The louder the frogs, the more the rain.
  • Frogs singing in the evening indicates fair weather the next day.
  • Hang up a snakeskin, and it will bring rain.

More Weather Folklore

Other animals predict the weather too!  See how birds predict the weather. See how other mammals predict the weather.

Even onion skins predict the weather! See signs of a bad winter, according to lore.

Did we miss any? Share your favorite proverbs and sayings below!

Weather Lore

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Allyssa</span> Mon, 09/18/2023 - 08:26
Apparently our ants are very modern. Instead of building bigger anthills, they have just decided to move in with us as this winter will be quite rainy.
<span>Kat</span> Tue, 05/09/2023 - 07:19
To add to “ The more quickly crickets chirp, the warmer the temperature”: Count the number of chirps in 15 seconds, and add 40: that's roughly the temperature in Fahrenheit. Dolbear's Law.
<span>Louise Black</span> Fri, 09/10/2021 - 11:24
Pay attention to how an ant builds it's nest. If they build it with one side higher than the other, rain will come from the direction that it's the highest, if they build the walls high all the way around, expect a storm. I have watched ants build their nest, and I have found this to be true.
<span>Johnson</span> Thu, 10/08/2026 - 07:29
I once asked my grandma what she thought about if we would have a bad winter. She said, "Are there spider webs low to the ground". Our conversation got interrupted. I never got around to asking again. She passed away 20 years ago. And, I still haven't found out what that means. Can anyone help?
<span>Steven</span> Thu, 08/05/2021 - 19:25
If the center of a persimmon seed is in shape of a fork the hay rakes will work into the winter(mild)if a knife gonna b very cold if a spoon will b lots of snow
<span>Steven</span> Thu, 08/05/2021 - 19:21
If the wind blows outta the north during the ember days of September expect a cold winter
<span>Diana Geenlee</span> Sun, 01/31/2021 - 11:40
My old folklore When the wind comes from the east..fish bite the least. When the wind comes from the south..it blows the bait into the fishes mouth. When the wind comes from the west..fish bite the best. When the wind comes from the north..fishermen shouldn’t go forth.
<span>Sara M.</span> Sat, 09/21/2019 - 15:41
"...flies gather in houses just before rain." Yes, they do. If they can get inside ahead of rain, they will find a way in. And they did just that yesterday, ahead of today's rain predicted (by meteorologist and National Weather Service) rain - lots of rain. That is a good thing to remember, and also, check to see that none of your screens need repairs!! If you don't, the flies will drive you nuts.
<span>Mama Lawn</span> Sun, 08/11/2019 - 12:18
A ring around the moon means rain is coming soon. Also, for partial moon phases, if the moon were a bowl on an angle that liquid would pour out of it means rain is coming the following day.
<span>Dawn</span> Sun, 08/11/2019 - 12:10
"When hornets build their nests near the ground, expect a cold and early winter." This comment is incorrect. When hornets build near the ground it will be a mild winter. When they build high it means a hard, snowy winter. I have seen this happen many years in areas that aren't sprayed consistently. In some of our snowiest winters I have seen very large nests built very high in trees.