Best Time to See Centipedes in Pennsylvania
April, May and March is the best time to see centipedes in Pennsylvania. Based on 5,166 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
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
5,166 verified observations of centipedes in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
April
1,056 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 1.5% |
| February | 82 | 1.6% |
| Marchpeak | 598 | 11.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,056 | 20.4% |
| Maypeak | 739 | 14.3% |
| June | 491 | 9.5% |
| July | 376 | 7.3% |
| August | 322 | 6.2% |
| September | 492 | 9.5% |
| October | 527 | 10.2% |
| November | 281 | 5.4% |
| December | 123 | 2.4% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 1,758 |
| Brown Centipede | 507 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 425 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 58 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 55 |
| Common Cryptops | 42 |
| Scolopocryptops peregrinator | 38 |
| Strigamia bothriopus | 34 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
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 31 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Pennsylvania peak in April, when 1,056 of the year's 5,166 verified observations are logged — about 20.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 79 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Pennsylvania?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 5,166 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Pennsylvania, with only 79 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Pennsylvania