Best Time to See Centipedes in Arkansas
May, March and April is the best time to see centipedes in Arkansas. Based on 1,349 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Arkansas.
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
1,349 verified observations of centipedes in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
May
210 records (15.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 33 | 2.4% |
| February | 96 | 7.1% |
| Marchpeak | 169 | 12.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 161 | 11.9% |
| Maypeak | 210 | 15.6% |
| June | 131 | 9.7% |
| July | 90 | 6.7% |
| August | 44 | 3.3% |
| September | 127 | 9.4% |
| October | 129 | 9.6% |
| November | 105 | 7.8% |
| December | 54 | 4% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Bark Centipede | 216 |
| House Centipede | 184 |
| Giant Desert Centipede | 154 |
| Brown Centipede | 109 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 60 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 59 |
| Theatops spinicaudus | 43 |
| Big-leg Centipede | 18 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
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 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 36°F | 4.7" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 5.3" |
| Marbest time | 64°F | 45°F | 6.1" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| Maybest time | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 70°F | 4.4" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 3.7" |
| Aug | 91°F | 74°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 2" |
| Oct | 74°F | 56°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 61°F | 43°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 57°F | 40°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arkansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Arkansas peak in May, when 210 of the year's 1,349 verified observations are logged — about 15.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, March and April.
The quietest stretch is January and August, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 33 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 Arkansas are Eastern Bark Centipede, House Centipede and Giant Desert 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 Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial — National Memorial
- Buffalo National River — National River
- Hot Springs National Park — National Park
- Pea Ridge National Military Park — National Military Park
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Smith National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Arkansas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, March and April, based on 1,349 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Arkansas?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Arkansas, with only 33 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Arkansas?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Arkansas