Insects, Spiders, and Other "Creepy-Crawly" Bugs That Forecast Weather
Can insects predict the weather? Next time you see an insect, spider, or other “creepy-crawly,” check out what it’s doing! It could let you know something about the upcoming weather, especially the winter months. Here is a listing of some of the more well-known weather folklore about insects and weather!
Is there some truth to it? You decide!
Insect Weather Folklore
Observe ants, bees, hornets, crickets, houseflies, and other insects. Their activity tells us whether the weather will be cold, warm, windy, or fair!
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- See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest.
- If ant hills are high in July, the coming winter will be hard.
- When cicadas are heard, dry weather will follow, and frost will come in six 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 predicting weather with cricket chirps!
Spider Folklore
Of course, spiders are arachnids, not insects, but we are including these creeply-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.
The Woolly Worms’ Bands
Certainly, many of you may have heard of the woolly bear caterpillar’s ability to forecast winter weather. These caterpillars 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!
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!
Catherine Boeckmann
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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.
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.
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.
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
If the wind blows outta the north during the ember days of September expect a cold winter
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.
"...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.
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.
"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.
My granny always said when the backs of the leaves on the trees begin to show, it's a sure-fire sign of rain.
