Best Time to See Centipedes in New York
April, May and March is the best time to see centipedes in New York. Based on 5,993 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in New York.
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
5,993 verified observations of centipedes in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in New York
Peak month
April
1,303 records (21.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 129 | 2.2% |
| February | 135 | 2.3% |
| Marchpeak | 613 | 10.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,303 | 21.7% |
| Maypeak | 738 | 12.3% |
| June | 558 | 9.3% |
| July | 429 | 7.2% |
| August | 388 | 6.5% |
| September | 546 | 9.1% |
| October | 613 | 10.2% |
| November | 362 | 6% |
| December | 179 | 3% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 1,739 |
| Brown Centipede | 868 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 283 |
| White-Striped Centipede | 82 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 75 |
| Common Cryptops | 67 |
| Strigamia bothriopus | 58 |
| Common Schendyla | 24 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
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 23 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in New York peak in April, when 1,303 of the year's 5,993 verified observations are logged — about 21.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 129 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 York 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 York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in New York?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 5,993 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in New York, with only 129 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in New York?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in New York