Best Time to See Centipedes in Virginia
April, March and May is the best time to see centipedes in Virginia. Based on 5,781 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Virginia.
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
5,781 verified observations of centipedes in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
April
836 records (14.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 284 | 4.9% |
| February | 367 | 6.3% |
| Marchpeak | 739 | 12.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 836 | 14.5% |
| Maypeak | 593 | 10.3% |
| June | 448 | 7.7% |
| July | 419 | 7.2% |
| August | 290 | 5% |
| September | 532 | 9.2% |
| October | 522 | 9% |
| November | 422 | 7.3% |
| December | 329 | 5.7% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 1,315 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 534 |
| Brown Centipede | 340 |
| Eastern Bark Centipede | 250 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 190 |
| Scolopocryptops peregrinator | 103 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 99 |
| Big-leg Centipede | 87 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
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 39 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Marbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Jul | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Virginia peak in April, when 836 of the year's 5,781 verified observations are logged — about 14.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is January, August and December, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 284 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 Virginia 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 Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Virginia?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 5,781 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Virginia?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Virginia, with only 284 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Virginia?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see centipedes
More wildlife in Virginia