Best Time to See Centipedes in Maryland
April, March and May is the best time to see centipedes in Maryland. Based on 3,029 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Maryland.
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
3,029 verified observations of centipedes in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
April
620 records (20.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 71 | 2.3% |
| February | 137 | 4.5% |
| Marchpeak | 450 | 14.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 620 | 20.5% |
| Maypeak | 368 | 12.1% |
| June | 246 | 8.1% |
| July | 231 | 7.6% |
| August | 181 | 6% |
| September | 215 | 7.1% |
| October | 244 | 8.1% |
| November | 166 | 5.5% |
| December | 100 | 3.3% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 965 |
| Brown Centipede | 337 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 193 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 66 |
| Scolopocryptops peregrinator | 48 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 41 |
| Common Cryptops | 20 |
| Strigamia bothriopus | 15 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
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 37 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Jul | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sep | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Maryland peak in April, when 620 of the year's 3,029 verified observations are logged — about 20.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 71 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 Maryland are House Centipede, Brown Centipede and Eastern Red 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 Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Maryland?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 3,029 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Maryland?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Maryland, with only 71 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Maryland?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Maryland