Best Time to See Centipedes in North Carolina
April, October and March is the best time to see centipedes in North Carolina. Based on 5,369 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in North Carolina.
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
5,369 verified observations of centipedes in North Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in North Carolina
Peak month
April
741 records (13.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 207 | 3.9% |
| February | 353 | 6.6% |
| Marchpeak | 642 | 12% |
| Aprilpeak | 741 | 13.8% |
| May | 467 | 8.7% |
| June | 492 | 9.2% |
| July | 383 | 7.1% |
| August | 329 | 6.1% |
| September | 513 | 9.6% |
| Octoberpeak | 644 | 12% |
| November | 387 | 7.2% |
| December | 211 | 3.9% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 1,242 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 779 |
| Eastern Bark Centipede | 654 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 395 |
| Brown Centipede | 127 |
| Big-leg Centipede | 83 |
| Blue Belly Centipede | 78 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 57 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Carolina
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 45 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 36°F | 5.4" |
| Feb | 58°F | 40°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.6" |
| Aprbest time | 73°F | 51°F | 4" |
| May | 80°F | 59°F | 3" |
| Jun | 85°F | 66°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 90°F | 72°F | 4.1" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 4.8" |
| Sep | 83°F | 64°F | 3.8" |
| Octbest time | 74°F | 55°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 62°F | 44°F | 3.5" |
| Dec | 56°F | 39°F | 5.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Carolina. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in North Carolina peak in April, when 741 of the year's 5,369 verified observations are logged — about 13.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, October and March.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 207 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 North Carolina are House Centipede, Eastern Red Centipede and Eastern Bark 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 North Carolina
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore — National Seashore
- Cape Lookout National Seashore — National Seashore
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park — National Park
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in North Carolina?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, October and March, based on 5,369 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in North Carolina?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in North Carolina, with only 207 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in North Carolina?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Carolina, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in North Carolina