Can Crickets Tell You The Temperature?

Like all insects, Crickets are cold blooded creatures that take on the temperature of their immediate environment. Crickets begin chirping by rubbing their two forelegs together. More than one hundred years ago, a scientist noticed how crickets chirp faster and louder on a warmer nights and slower on cooler nights.

How Crickets Tell You The Temperature

The muscles in a cricket contract to produce chirping. The formula is as follows, the warmer the temperature, the easier and faster the cricket’s muscles activate increasing the rate and pitch of the chirping. The cooler the temperature outside, the slower the chirping rate, and softer the sound. In other words, the frequency rate in which crickets chirp always varies according to temperature. 

In order to gain a rough estimate of the temperature outside in fahrenheit, count the number of chirps a cricket makes within a 15 second period then add 37 – 40. This total number added together will give you the approximate temperature outside your home.

When Do Crickets Stop Chirping?

Crickets begin chirping their chorus when temperatures are between 50-100 degrees fahrenheit. Crickets stop chirping when temperatures fall below 50 degrees then, die when it gets too cold. When the chirping finally ends and crickets die is a natural sign that winter has officially begun.