Insects, Spiders, and Other "Creepy-Crawlies" That Forecast Weather
Can insects predict the weather? Next time you see an insect, spider, or other âcreepy-crawly,â check out what it’s doing! It could let you know something about the upcoming weather. Here’s some of the more well-known weather folklore about insects and weather!
Insect Weather Folklore
Observe ants, bees, hornets, crickets, and other insects. Their activity tells us whether the weather will be cold, warm, windy or fair!
- See how high the hornetâs nest, âtwill 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.
- 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!
Image: 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’re including these creeply-crawlies here! Can spiders predict winter weather? What do you think?
Observe spiders and their webs closely to gauge weather:
- Spiders spinning larger than usual webs is a sign of a cold winter to come.
- When spidersâ 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.
Image: Large spider webs in autumn indicate frost.
The Woolly Wormsâ 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!
Image: 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 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!
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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 shouldnât 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.
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