Best Time to See Centipedes in North Dakota
May, April and July is the best time to see centipedes in North Dakota. Based on 40 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in North Dakota.
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
40 verified observations of centipedes in North Dakota, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
May
17 records (42.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 5% |
| Aprilpeak | 8 | 20% |
| Maypeak | 17 | 42.5% |
| June | 3 | 7.5% |
| Julypeak | 5 | 12.5% |
| August | 0 | 0% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 2 | 5% |
| November | 2 | 5% |
| December | 1 | 2.5% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Centipede | 12 |
| House Centipede | 5 |
| Compost Centipedes | 2 |
| Henicopidae | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
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 28 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Jun | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in North Dakota peak in May, when 17 of the year's 40 verified observations are logged — about 42.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and July.
The quietest stretch is January, February and August, when centipedes are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The centipedes you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Brown Centipede, House Centipede and Compost Centipedes — 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 North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in North Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and July, based on 40 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are centipedes active year-round in North Dakota?+
Centipedes are recorded in 8 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around May and April.
More wildlife in North Dakota