Best Time to See Centipedes in West Virginia
April, October and May is the best time to see centipedes in West Virginia. Based on 851 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in West 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
851 verified observations of centipedes in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
April
182 records (21.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14 | 1.6% |
| February | 23 | 2.7% |
| March | 102 | 12% |
| Aprilpeak | 182 | 21.4% |
| Maypeak | 104 | 12.2% |
| June | 71 | 8.3% |
| July | 44 | 5.2% |
| August | 65 | 7.6% |
| September | 74 | 8.7% |
| Octoberpeak | 115 | 13.5% |
| November | 34 | 4% |
| December | 23 | 2.7% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 206 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 128 |
| Brown Centipede | 37 |
| Eastern Bark Centipede | 32 |
| Big-leg Centipede | 24 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 17 |
| Strigamia bothriopus | 11 |
| Scolopocryptops peregrinator | 7 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in West 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 41 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 26°F | 4.8" |
| Feb | 46°F | 28°F | 5.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 34°F | 4.5" |
| Aprbest time | 61°F | 41°F | 4.4" |
| Maybest time | 69°F | 51°F | 6.5" |
| Jun | 76°F | 59°F | 5.3" |
| Jul | 81°F | 65°F | 5.1" |
| Aug | 78°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 74°F | 57°F | 3.5" |
| Octbest time | 64°F | 48°F | 4.1" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 46°F | 31°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for West Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in West Virginia peak in April, when 182 of the year's 851 verified observations are logged — about 21.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, October and May.
The quietest stretch is January, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 14 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 West 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 West Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Bluestone National Scenic River — National Scenic River
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in West Virginia?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, October and May, based on 851 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in West Virginia?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in West Virginia, with only 14 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in West Virginia?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in West Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in West Virginia