Best Time to See Centipedes in Kansas
April, May and March is the best time to see centipedes in Kansas. Based on 879 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Kansas.
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
879 verified observations of centipedes in Kansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Kansas
Peak month
April
217 records (24.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 0.7% |
| February | 24 | 2.7% |
| Marchpeak | 95 | 10.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 217 | 24.7% |
| Maypeak | 140 | 15.9% |
| June | 78 | 8.9% |
| July | 59 | 6.7% |
| August | 52 | 5.9% |
| September | 68 | 7.7% |
| October | 77 | 8.8% |
| November | 49 | 5.6% |
| December | 14 | 1.6% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Desert Centipede | 152 |
| House Centipede | 123 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 76 |
| Brown Centipede | 64 |
| Giant Desert Centipede | 57 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 43 |
| Strigamia | 31 |
| Common Schendyla | 9 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Kansas
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 35 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 25°F | 1.1" |
| Feb | 43°F | 22°F | 1.1" |
| Marbest time | 55°F | 35°F | 2.2" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 1.2" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 55°F | 6.5" |
| Jun | 87°F | 67°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 91°F | 71°F | 2.3" |
| Aug | 90°F | 70°F | 1.8" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 68°F | 48°F | 1.3" |
| Nov | 56°F | 37°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 1.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Kansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Kansas peak in April, when 217 of the year's 879 verified observations are logged — about 24.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is January, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 6 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 Kansas are Common Desert Centipede, House 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 Kansas
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve — National Preserve
- Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Larned National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Scott National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Kansas?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 879 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Kansas?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Kansas, with only 6 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Kansas?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Kansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Kansas