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

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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>Lynda</span> Thu, 09/06/2018 - 06:39
My granny always said when the backs of the leaves on the trees begin to show, it's a sure-fire sign of rain.
<span>Tom</span> Mon, 09/18/2023 - 08:45
My Grandfather said this also.
<span>Jeff Decoster</span> Sun, 04/22/2018 - 18:17
Here in the Midwest I was taught that count 90 days from the first cicadas will be our first frost.
<span>Louise Walker</span> Wed, 04/18/2018 - 13:10
If it thunders before 7;00 (am) it will rain before 11:00
<span>Toni Gillas</span> Thu, 05/09/2019 - 13:07
The way I heard this one was, "Rain before 7:00, clear by 11:00.
<span>Louise Walker</span> Wed, 04/18/2018 - 13:05
If it rains the first Sunday in June, it will rain every Sunday in the month.
<span>Linda</span> Tue, 04/17/2018 - 07:05
I was always told that if the leaves on the trees seem to turn backwards a storm was coming.
<span>Gayle</span> Mon, 04/16/2018 - 17:51
Is there some saying about peepers; hearing them three times before the warm weather stays ? I can't remember just how it goes.
<span>Faye Bancroft</span> Wed, 08/08/2018 - 08:15
I have always gone by the rule that a frost between hearing them three times,that spring has sprung.
<span>Tiffany Drozd</span> Tue, 08/25/2015 - 08:38
The fog days of August count the days if snow, the thicker the fog the deeper the snow The thicker the the trees bark come fall the colder winter will be felt by all Birds nest during the rain the sooner it will pass but birds flying about in the rain the longer it will be