Are There Centipedes in Alabama?
Yes, centipedes live throughout Alabama in forests, gardens, and sometimes homes. Most are harmless, but larger species can deliver a painful bite if provoked. Understanding what they are, where to find them, and how to avoid encounters helps keep your home and family safe.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Strigamia bothriopus · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA
Common Desert Centipede · Public domain CC0
Common Desert Centipede · Evrytte Carlson CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 712
- GBIF records
- October, March, April
- peak months
Yes, centipedes are in Alabama. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
8 types of centipedes recorded in Alabama
8 centipede species have a verified observation record in Alabama, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
3 of the 8 shown are recorded as introduced to Alabama rather than native.
- No openly licensed photo yet1
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Big-leg Centipede
Theatops posticus
56 records - No openly licensed photo yet7
Blue Belly Centipede
Scolopocryptops nigridius
14 records - No openly licensed photo yet8
Plus 12 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,794 verified observations on iNaturalist of centipede have been recorded in Alabama, most often in October, March, April.
When centipede are recorded in Alabama
Yes, centipedes live throughout Alabama in forests, gardens, and sometimes homes. Most are harmless, but larger species can deliver a painful bite if provoked. Understanding what they are, where to find them, and how to avoid encounters helps keep your home and family safe.
Are they in Alabama?
Centipedes are well established throughout Alabama in a variety of habitats. You'll find them in the state's forests, particularly in leaf litter and under rocks, as well as in gardens and sometimes in homes, especially in basements and crawl spaces. The most common household centipede is the house centipede, a smaller species with very long legs. Larger species like the Arizona bark centipede occasionally appear in collections or traveling merchandise, though they are not naturally established in Alabama. The common garden centipedes and house centipedes found here are native or established species adapted toour wildlife guidesacross the state. You are more likely to encounter them during warm months when they are most active, but they can appear indoors year-round seeking shelter.
How dangerous is it?
Centipede bites are uncommon and rarely serious in healthy adults. Most Alabama centipedes are not aggressive and will not bite unless handled roughly or threatened. When a bite does occur, it causes localized pain, swelling, and redness similar to a bee sting. The pain usually subsides within a few hours to a day. No centipede species found in Alabama produces venom that poses a serious medical risk. Severe reactions are extremely rare and typically occur only in people with compromised immune systems or in cases of secondary infection. Children and pets can also be bitten, but the injury is minor and self-limiting. Always seek medical attention if you are unsure about a bite or if symptoms worsen, but there is no reason to fear centipedes as a significant health threat. For more on centipede in Alabama, see ourAlabama centipede guide.
How to recognize one
Centipedes have long, flattened bodies with many pairs of legs and are often reddish-brown, yellowish, or grayish in color. The house centipede, the most commonly seen species in Alabama homes, has 15 pairs of very long, thin legs and a body length of 1 to 1.5 inches. Larger outdoor centipedes may reach 4 to 6 inches or more and have shorter, thicker legs. All centipedes have two venomous claws called forcipules near their head that they use to inject venom when biting. They move quickly and are nocturnal, so you are more likely to glimpse one darting across a bathroom floor or wall at night. Centipedes hide inwildlife in Alabamaincluding leaf piles, bark, woodpiles, under stones, and in dark corners of garages and basements. Their rapid movement and many legs make them easy to identify.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
If a centipede bites you, first stay calm. Remove any rings or tight bracelets from the bitten area and elevate it gently to slow swelling. Wash the bite with cool water and mild soap. Apply a cool compress to reduce pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter pain relievers and antihistamines may help reduce discomfort. Monitor the area for signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, or drainage. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe. Most bites resolve on their own without medical intervention, but if you develop severe swelling, unusual symptoms, or signs of infection, contact a healthcare provider. Do not attempt any field treatment such as cutting, sucking, or applying a tourniquet. You can also browseAlabama wildlife.
How to prevent encounters
Preventing centipede encounters in your Alabama home starts with reducing hiding places. Keep woodpiles, leaf litter, and mulch away from your home's foundation. Seal cracks and gaps in basement walls, foundation, and around doors and windows where centipedes can enter. Remove potential indoor hiding spots by storing items off the floor in closets and basements, and by vacuuming under and behind furniture regularly. Keep your home dry, as centipedes are attracted to moisture. Fix any leaky pipes or standing water issues in basements or crawl spaces. When hiking or working outdoors, wear closed-toe shoes and check your shoes before putting them on. Shake out blankets, sleeping bags, and clothing before use if they have been stored in damp areas. Use a dehumidifier in basements to keep humidity low. These practical steps go a long way toward reducing the likelihood of finding centipedes in your home.
Where in Alabama and when
Throughout Alabama, centipedes are found in a variety of habitats, particularly in the forested regions of the state including the Appalachian foothills in the northeast and the mixed pine and hardwood forests across the central and southern portions. They thrive in the humid climate near rivers and streams such as the Tennessee River valley and coastal plain regions. Centipedes are most active from late spring through early fall when temperatures are warm and humidity is high. They remain active throughout the year in milder parts of the state and in heated buildings. During winter, outdoor populations become less active but may retreat into homes seeking warmth. In late summer and fall, centipedes sometimes move indoors as outdoor temperatures drop. You are most likely to encounter them at night, as they are nocturnal hunters that feed on insects and spiders. Understanding their seasonal and habitat preferences helps you take preventive measures.
Harmless lookalikes
Many Alabama residents confuse centipedes with millipedes, which are completely harmless. Millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, while centipedes have one pair per segment. Millipedes are slow-moving, rounded in cross-section, and curl into a spiral ball when threatened. They feed on decaying plant material rather than insects. Centipedes, by contrast, are flattened, fast-moving, and predatory. You may also mistake a fast-moving silverfish or even an earwig for a small centipede, though both are smaller and have different body shapes. The earwig has visible cerci (pincers) at its rear end. Silverfish are wingless and shiny. Learning these differences brings reassurance that many of the small crawling creatures in your home are completely harmless, andmore on Centipede in Alabamais available if you need additional identification help.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Are centipedes deadly?** No. Centipedes found in Alabama do not produce venom dangerous to humans. Bites are rare and cause only minor localized pain and swelling, similar to an insect sting. **How common are centipede bites in Alabama?** Bites are very uncommon. Centipedes are shy and will only bite if handled, stepped on, or if they feel seriously threatened. Simply seeing a centipede does not put you at risk. **What attracts centipedes to a house?** Moisture, insects, spiders, and dark hiding places attract centipedes indoors. Reducing moisture and sealing entry points helps deter them. **What should I do if I see one?** Leave it alone and it will not harm you. You can capture and release it outside, or simply sweep it out of your home. For more information about common house pests andwildlife in Alabama, consult our state wildlife guides. Centipedes actually help control populations of other insects, making them beneficial in many cases.
Plan your trip
Best time to see centipede in Alabama: October, March, April
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your centipede sighting in Alabama
712 verified centipede records have been logged in Alabama, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Alabama
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Little River Canyon National Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Natchez Trace Parkway · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Russell Cave National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument · Find hotels
- Freedom Riders National Monument · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Alabama?+
Centipedes are well established throughout Alabama in a variety of habitats. You'll find them in the state's forests, particularly in leaf litter and under rocks, as well as in gardens and sometimes in homes, especially in basements and crawl spaces. The most common household centipede is the house centipede, a smaller species with very long legs. Larger species like the Arizona bark centipede occasionally appear in collections or traveling merchandise, though they are not naturally established in Alabama. The common garden centipedes and house centipedes found here are native or established species adapted toour wildlife guidesacross the state. You are more likely to encounter them during warm months when they are most active, but they can appear indoors year-round seeking shelter.
How dangerous is it?+
Centipede bites are uncommon and rarely serious in healthy adults. Most Alabama centipedes are not aggressive and will not bite unless handled roughly or threatened. When a bite does occur, it causes localized pain, swelling, and redness similar to a bee sting. The pain usually subsides within a few hours to a day. No centipede species found in Alabama produces venom that poses a serious medical risk. Severe reactions are extremely rare and typically occur only in people with compromised immune systems or in cases of secondary infection. Children and pets can also be bitten, but the injury is minor and self-limiting. Always seek medical attention if you are unsure about a bite or if symptoms worsen, but there is no reason to fear centipedes as a significant health threat. For more on centipede in Alabama, see ourAlabama centipede guide.
More wildlife in Alabama