Best Time to See Centipedes in Illinois
April, March and May is the best time to see centipedes in Illinois. Based on 2,717 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Illinois.
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
2,717 verified observations of centipedes in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
April
549 records (20.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 38 | 1.4% |
| February | 46 | 1.7% |
| Marchpeak | 345 | 12.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 549 | 20.2% |
| Maypeak | 338 | 12.4% |
| June | 262 | 9.6% |
| July | 230 | 8.5% |
| August | 193 | 7.1% |
| September | 252 | 9.3% |
| October | 274 | 10.1% |
| November | 152 | 5.6% |
| December | 38 | 1.4% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 829 |
| Brown Centipede | 374 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 171 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 66 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 37 |
| Eastern Bark Centipede | 21 |
| Common Cryptops | 14 |
| Common Schendyla | 9 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
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 34 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Feb | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Marbest time | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.6" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Jul | 85°F | 68°F | 4.3" |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Sep | 79°F | 61°F | 3" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 45°F | 29°F | 2.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Illinois. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Illinois peak in April, when 549 of the year's 2,717 verified observations are logged — about 20.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is January, December and February, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 38 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 Illinois are House Centipede, Brown Centipede and Japanese House 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 Illinois
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Philadelphia National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Pullman National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Illinois?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 2,717 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Illinois?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Illinois, with only 38 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Illinois?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Illinois