Best Time to See Centipedes in New Jersey
April, March and May is the best time to see centipedes in New Jersey. Based on 2,626 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in New Jersey.
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
2,626 verified observations of centipedes in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
April
433 records (16.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 41 | 1.6% |
| February | 50 | 1.9% |
| Marchpeak | 364 | 13.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 433 | 16.5% |
| Maypeak | 340 | 12.9% |
| June | 216 | 8.2% |
| July | 205 | 7.8% |
| August | 179 | 6.8% |
| September | 221 | 8.4% |
| October | 313 | 11.9% |
| November | 181 | 6.9% |
| December | 83 | 3.2% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 990 |
| Brown Centipede | 368 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 107 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 47 |
| Strigamia bothriopus | 25 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 24 |
| Common Cryptops | 24 |
| Common Schendyla | 20 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Jersey
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when centipedes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for centipedes sit around 35 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 28°F | 3.4" |
| Feb | 45°F | 29°F | 3.5" |
| Marbest time | 54°F | 35°F | 4.3" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 44°F | 4.6" |
| Maybest time | 72°F | 53°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Jul | 88°F | 70°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 61°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 55°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Dec | 46°F | 32°F | 4.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Jersey. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in New Jersey peak in April, when 433 of the year's 2,626 verified observations are logged — about 16.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 41 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The centipedes you are most likely to encounter in New Jersey are House Centipede, Brown Centipede and Eastern Red Centipede — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see centipedes in New Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Great Egg Harbor River
- Morristown National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument — Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Gateway National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in New Jersey?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 2,626 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in New Jersey?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in New Jersey, with only 41 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in New Jersey?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Jersey, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.