Best Time to See Centipedes in Ohio
April, May and March is the best time to see centipedes in Ohio. Based on 4,452 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Ohio.
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
4,452 verified observations of centipedes in Ohio, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Ohio
Peak month
April
924 records (20.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 72 | 1.6% |
| February | 179 | 4% |
| Marchpeak | 504 | 11.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 924 | 20.8% |
| Maypeak | 642 | 14.4% |
| June | 407 | 9.1% |
| July | 282 | 6.3% |
| August | 258 | 5.8% |
| September | 437 | 9.8% |
| October | 421 | 9.5% |
| November | 229 | 5.1% |
| December | 97 | 2.2% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 1,299 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 432 |
| Brown Centipede | 417 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 147 |
| Eastern Bark Centipede | 127 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 30 |
| Big-leg Centipede | 27 |
| Common Cryptops | 22 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Ohio
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 32 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37°F | 23°F | 3.9" |
| Feb | 40°F | 23°F | 4" |
| Marbest time | 51°F | 32°F | 4.7" |
| Aprbest time | 59°F | 40°F | 4.4" |
| Maybest time | 69°F | 51°F | 4.7" |
| Jun | 78°F | 60°F | 4.8" |
| Jul | 82°F | 66°F | 4.1" |
| Aug | 80°F | 64°F | 4.1" |
| Sep | 75°F | 58°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 64°F | 48°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 49°F | 34°F | 2.5" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 3.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Ohio. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Ohio peak in April, when 924 of the year's 4,452 verified observations are logged — about 20.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 72 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 Ohio are House Centipede, Eastern Red Centipede and Brown 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 Ohio
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park — National Park
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial — Memorial
- Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument — National Monument
- Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Ohio?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 4,452 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Ohio?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Ohio, with only 72 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Ohio?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Ohio, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see centipedes
More wildlife in Ohio