Are There Centipedes in Utah?
Yes, centipedes live throughout Utah, though they are less abundant than in more humid states. The house centipede is the primary species encountered indoors and in damp areas statewide. Native centipedes inhabit Utah's forests and gardens, particularly in the wetter northern regions. These small arthropods have venom but rarely bite humans.
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
- 8
- species recorded
- 281
- GBIF records
- April, May, June
- peak months
Yes, centipedes are in Utah. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
5 types of centipedes recorded in Utah
5 centipede species have a verified observation record in Utah, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
3 of the 5 shown are recorded as introduced to Utah rather than native.
- No openly licensed photo yet1
- No openly licensed photo yet2
- No openly licensed photo yet3
- No openly licensed photo yet4
Florida Blue Centipede
Scolopendra viridis
54 records - No openly licensed photo yet5
Plus 5 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
931 verified observations on iNaturalist of centipede have been recorded in Utah, most often in April, May, June.
When centipede are recorded in Utah
Yes, centipedes live throughout Utah, though they are less abundant than in more humid states. The house centipede is the primary species encountered indoors and in damp areas statewide. Native centipedes inhabit Utah's forests and gardens, particularly in the wetter northern regions. These small arthropods have venom but rarely bite humans.
Are They in Utah?
Centipedes are well established throughout Utah, though they are less abundant than in more humid states. The house centipede is the most common species found indoors and in damp basements statewide. Native centipedes inhabit Utah's forests, canyons, and gardens, particularly in the wetter northern regions and mountain areas. Utah's dry climate and high elevation in many areas limit centipede populations compared to southern or eastern states. Indoors, however, centipedes thrive year-round in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas. Utah residents encounter centipedes regularly in homes, particularly in older buildings with basements. These creatures are solitary hunters focused on controlling household insects. Learn more aboutCentipedes in Utahand understand the species in your area.
How Dangerous Are They?
Centipede bites are exceptionally rare in Utah and pose minimal medical risk to healthy people. The house centipede, which is the species Utah residents encounter most often, has venom designed for small insects, not large mammals. A bite would produce sharp pain for a few minutes, similar to a bee sting, then fade rapidly. Minor localized redness or swelling is uncommon and typically resolves within hours. No deaths from centipede bites have ever occurred in Utah or anywhere in the United States. Allergic reactions are extraordinarily rare. Centipedes actively avoid confrontation with people and run away when threatened. They bite only if directly threatened, crushed, or trapped. Your lifetime risk of being bitten by a centipede in Utah is vanishingly low. Medical professionals throughout Utah have documented that centipede bites almost never require professional care. For more on centipede in Utah, see ourUtah centipede guide.
How to Recognize One
Utah's house centipedes are small, typically under one and a half inches long, with flattened bodies and numerous pairs of thin legs. They are tan, yellowish-brown, or light brown with darker longitudinal stripes running along their bodies. Long, prominent antennae extend from their head, and they move with a distinctive fast, erratic darting style. Larger native centipedes found in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and forests are brown or reddish-brown and somewhat longer. All centipedes have exactly one pair of legs per body segment, which distinguishes them from millipedes. When you spot a fast-moving arthropod with many legs and prominent antennae in your Utah home or garden, you have likely found a centipede. They actively avoid light and hide in dark, damp spaces. Their speed often startles people, but this is actually an escape response. You can also browseUtah wildlife.
What to Do If You Are Bitten or Stung
If a centipede bites you in Utah, remain calm and keep the bitten area still. Wash it immediately with soap and water. Remove any nearby rings or tight bracelets in case minor swelling develops, though swelling is uncommon. A cold compress can help ease discomfort if desired. Most centipede bites resolve completely within minutes without any treatment. Seek medical attention only if you experience unusual symptoms or if your immune system is compromised. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe. Do not apply tourniquets, cut the wound, or use any aggressive field treatment. Allow the bite to heal naturally without intervention. Utah poison control specialists and medical professionals confirm that centipede bites almost never require professional medical care. See all of ourwildlife guides.
How to Prevent Encounters
Reduce centipedes in your Utah home by sealing cracks and gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and baseboards. Control moisture, which centipedes actively seek despite Utah's generally dry climate. Use a dehumidifier in basements and crawl spaces where moisture accumulates. Fix any water leaks promptly. Declutter your home and store items in sealed plastic containers rather than open boxes. Keep your yard tidy by clearing dead leaves, woodpiles, and mulch away from your home's foundation. Utah's winter drives many creatures indoors, so fall is a good time to seal entry points. Shake out shoes and outdoor clothing before wearing. When hiking Utah's Wasatch Mountains, Slickrock country, and other trails, wear closed-toe shoes. Check your skin and clothing after outdoor activities. Use sticky traps to monitor centipedes without killing them.
Where in Utah and When
Centipedes are found throughout Utah, though in lower densities than more humid states. They thrive most in areas with some moisture, like the Wasatch Mountains, stream valleys, canyons, and humid basements. Indoors, basements and bathrooms are prime centipede habitats regardless of region. Outdoors, search under rocks, fallen logs, and leaf litter in Utah's northern forests, canyon bottoms, and mountain areas. Centipedes are active outdoors during Utah's warmer months, primarily June through August. They are particularly active on warm, humid evenings and after rainfall when soil moisture increases. Activity peaks when nighttime temperatures remain above freezing. The house centipede remains active inside heated Utah homes year-round, even during the state's long, cold winters. Fall and spring bring increased indoor sightings as centipedes adjust to seasonal changes. Winter outdoor activity essentially ceases as centipedes retreat into protected areas.
Harmless Lookalikes
Many arthropods Utah residents encounter are harmless and often confused with centipedes. Millipedes are found in Utah and have two pairs of legs per body segment. They move slowly and deliberately and never bite, eating only plant material. Silverfish are small, silvery, and fast-moving but have only three visible appendages and far fewer legs than centipedes. Sowbugs and pill bugs curl into balls and are gray or brown. None of these pose health risks. Earwigs have pincers but cannot bite meaningfully and are harmless. If you find a fast-moving, flat-bodied creature with many legs and long antennae in Utah, it is almost certainly a centipede. Learning to identify these harmless lookalikes helps Utah residents feel more confident in their homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are centipedes deadly in Utah? No. Centipedes are not deadly to humans, even the larger native species found in Utah. Their venom is harmless to people. How common are centipede bites in Utah? Centipede bites are exceptionally rare. Most Utahns go their entire lives without being bitten. What attracts centipedes to a Utah house? Moisture and the presence of other insects attract centipedes most strongly. Basements and bathrooms provide ideal conditions. What should I do if I see one? Leave it alone or gently guide it outside using paper or cardboard. Centipedes in your Utah home benefit you by eating household pests and insects. For more information about creatures you might encounter, check out ourwildlife in Utahguide andmore on Centipedes in Utahfor additional details.
Plan your trip
Best time to see centipede in Utah: April, May, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your centipede sighting in Utah
281 verified centipede records have been logged in Utah. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Utah
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Frequently asked questions
Are They in Utah?+
Centipedes are well established throughout Utah, though they are less abundant than in more humid states. The house centipede is the most common species found indoors and in damp basements statewide. Native centipedes inhabit Utah's forests, canyons, and gardens, particularly in the wetter northern regions and mountain areas. Utah's dry climate and high elevation in many areas limit centipede populations compared to southern or eastern states. Indoors, however, centipedes thrive year-round in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas. Utah residents encounter centipedes regularly in homes, particularly in older buildings with basements. These creatures are solitary hunters focused on controlling household insects. Learn more aboutCentipedes in Utahand understand the species in your area.
How Dangerous Are They?+
Centipede bites are exceptionally rare in Utah and pose minimal medical risk to healthy people. The house centipede, which is the species Utah residents encounter most often, has venom designed for small insects, not large mammals. A bite would produce sharp pain for a few minutes, similar to a bee sting, then fade rapidly. Minor localized redness or swelling is uncommon and typically resolves within hours. No deaths from centipede bites have ever occurred in Utah or anywhere in the United States. Allergic reactions are extraordinarily rare. Centipedes actively avoid confrontation with people and run away when threatened. They bite only if directly threatened, crushed, or trapped. Your lifetime risk of being bitten by a centipede in Utah is vanishingly low. Medical professionals throughout Utah have documented that centipede bites almost never require professional care. For more on centipede in Utah, see ourUtah centipede guide.
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