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You ask; we VERIFY. If you heard your grandma say, “The flies are biting, so rain is coming,” there might be some truth to the tale.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — A streak of 90-degree days leaves the Triad thirsty for rain. Could flies carry magic rain-predicting powers we’ve been discarding as annoying?
VERIFY QUESTION
Carol from Greensboro was volunteering with the Good Morning Show team at a local playground build, when she observed the flies were biting her skin.
“My grandfather always said when flies bite, it’s going to rain somewhere. Will you VERIFY?” she asked VERIFY journalist Meghann Mollerus.
VERIFY SOURCE
- Frank Fowler – biologist, and former vice-president with McNeely Pest Control, Inc (which is now part of the Bug Out Brand)
VERIFY PROCESS
Frank Fowler confirmed that he had always heard what Carol heard — biting flies mean pending rain. He had thought it was an old wives’ tale until he started studying insects.
He explained many animals can detect changes in the weather before they occur and respond by taking shelter. The lower barometric pressure preceding a storm can cause animals to want to feed. Thus, flies sometimes bite humans to get blood.
Older generations tended to spend more time outside than working adults today, so they knew when the flies started biting, rain was probably on the way.
VERIFY CONCLUSION
When flies start biting, they’re trying to tell you something. Check your WFMY News 2 weather app — rain is likely on the way. If you need help with biting flies, hire your local fly control experts!