Best Time to See Centipedes in Washington
April, May and March is the best time to see centipedes in Washington. Based on 2,070 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when centipedes are most active across the year in Washington.
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
2,070 verified observations of centipedes in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When centipedes are recorded in Washington
Peak month
April
488 records (23.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 88 | 4.3% |
| February | 128 | 6.2% |
| Marchpeak | 245 | 11.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 488 | 23.6% |
| Maypeak | 269 | 13% |
| June | 183 | 8.8% |
| July | 133 | 6.4% |
| August | 121 | 5.8% |
| September | 99 | 4.8% |
| October | 174 | 8.4% |
| November | 90 | 4.3% |
| December | 52 | 2.5% |
Centipedes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Centipede | 288 |
| Thorn-tailed Bark Centipede | 169 |
| House Centipede | 114 |
| Common Cryptops | 31 |
| Garden Lithobius | 22 |
| Zygethobius | 14 |
| Common Schendyla | 7 |
| Dicellophilus | 7 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
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 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Marbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of centipedes in Washington peak in April, when 488 of the year's 2,070 verified observations are logged — about 23.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is December, when centipedes are hardest to find — December sees just 52 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 Washington are Brown Centipede, Thorn-tailed Bark Centipede and House 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 Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see centipedes in Washington?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 2,070 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are centipedes hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for centipedes in Washington, with only 52 verified records.
Are centipedes active year-round in Washington?+
Centipedes are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Washington