Best Time to See Centipedes in Michigan
April, May and June is the best time to see centipedes in Michigan. Based on 1,818 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Michigan.
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
1,818 verified observations of centipedes in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
April
396 records (21.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 22 | 1.2% |
| February | 39 | 2.1% |
| March | 170 | 9.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 396 | 21.8% |
| Maypeak | 271 | 14.9% |
| Junepeak | 192 | 10.6% |
| July | 161 | 8.9% |
| August | 141 | 7.8% |
| September | 137 | 7.5% |
| October | 164 | 9% |
| November | 80 | 4.4% |
| December | 45 | 2.5% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 490 |
| Brown Centipede | 363 |
| Diamondback Soil Centipede | 68 |
| Eastern Red Centipede | 43 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 27 |
| Common Cryptops | 11 |
| Lamyctes | 10 |
| Garden Lithobius | 6 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Michigan
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 33 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 16°F | 2.3" |
| Feb | 28°F | 13°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 40°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 51°F | 33°F | 2.8" |
| Maybest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 55°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.6" |
| Aug | 77°F | 59°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 69°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 55°F | 42°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 30°F | 2.5" |
| Dec | 34°F | 23°F | 2.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Michigan. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Michigan peak in April, when 396 of the year's 1,818 verified observations are logged — about 21.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January, when centipedes are hardest to find — January sees just 22 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 Michigan are House Centipede, Brown Centipede and Diamondback Soil 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 Michigan
- Isle Royale National Park — National Park
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park — National Battlefield Park
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- Keweenaw National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Michigan?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 1,818 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Michigan?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in Michigan, with only 22 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Michigan?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Michigan, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Michigan