Best Time to See Centipedes in South Dakota
June, May and August is the best time to see centipedes in South Dakota. Based on 119 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in South 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
119 verified observations of centipedes in South Dakota, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
25 records (21% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0.8% |
| March | 6 | 5% |
| April | 12 | 10.1% |
| Maypeak | 24 | 20.2% |
| Junepeak | 25 | 21% |
| July | 9 | 7.6% |
| Augustpeak | 15 | 12.6% |
| September | 11 | 9.2% |
| October | 10 | 8.4% |
| November | 6 | 5% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| House Centipede | 31 |
| Brown Centipede | 20 |
| Strigamia | 2 |
| Common Desert Centipede | 1 |
| Compost Centipedes | 1 |
| Lamyctes | 1 |
| Common Schendyla | 1 |
| Japanese House Centipede | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South 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 49 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 31°F | 11°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 1.6" |
| Apr | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 49°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Jul | 87°F | 67°F | 2.5" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 66°F | 1.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 58°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 58°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Nov | 46°F | 29°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 35°F | 19°F | 1.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in South Dakota peak in June, when 25 of the year's 119 verified observations are logged — about 21% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and August.
The quietest stretch is January, December and February, 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 South Dakota are House Centipede, Brown Centipede and Strigamia — 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 South Dakota
- Badlands National Park — National Park
- Jewel Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Missouri National Recreational River — National Recreational River
- Wind Cave National Park — National Park
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in South Dakota?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and August, based on 119 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in South Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for centipedes in South Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are centipedes active year-round in South Dakota?+
Centipedes are recorded in 10 of 12 months in South Dakota, concentrated around June and May.
More wildlife in South Dakota