Best Time to See Centipedes in Iowa
April, May and September is the best time to see centipedes in Iowa. Based on 506 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Iowa.
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
506 verified observations of centipedes in Iowa, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
April
109 records (21.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 0.8% |
| February | 7 | 1.4% |
| March | 50 | 9.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 109 | 21.5% |
| Maypeak | 63 | 12.5% |
| June | 53 | 10.5% |
| July | 39 | 7.7% |
| August | 37 | 7.3% |
| Septemberpeak | 63 | 12.5% |
| October | 56 | 11.1% |
| November | 16 | 3.2% |
| December | 9 | 1.8% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 138 |
| Brown Centipede | 69 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 31 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 28 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 5 |
| Lamyctes | 3 |
| Common Schendyla | 3 |
| Scolopocryptops rubiginosus | 3 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Iowa
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 78 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 13°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 30°F | 11°F | 1.3" |
| Mar | 48°F | 29°F | 2.6" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 2.5" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 52°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Jul | 84°F | 67°F | 3.6" |
| Aug | 83°F | 65°F | 3" |
| Sepbest time | 78°F | 59°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 61°F | 44°F | 4.2" |
| Nov | 48°F | 31°F | 1.6" |
| Dec | 39°F | 23°F | 1.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Iowa. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Iowa peak in April, when 109 of the year's 506 verified observations are logged — about 21.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and September.
The quietest stretch is January, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 4 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 Iowa 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 Iowa
- Effigy Mounds National Monument — National Monument
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Iowa?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and September, based on 506 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Iowa?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Iowa, with only 4 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Iowa?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Iowa, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Iowa