This page will introduce the basics of insect repellent in Japan. It covers the types of insects you might need to be aware of, especially if you have kids and pets, and the types of products available to prevent insects from entering your house and to prevent insect bites.
Please jump to the relevant area for you from the table of contents.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Grasping the Basics
Introduction to Insect repellent in Japan
Similar to other countries, you will commonly see mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, stink bugs, and centipedes around your home as it gets to summer. The size of these insects depends on where you are located. In more natural areas, you will find bigger insects. The type of house you live in also affects what insects you see. In a high-rise apartment (高層マンション), you will often see mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches. If you live in a detached house (戸建て), you might see centipedes in addition to these insects.
If you want to avoid encountering these insects, especially if you have small kids and pets, it is better to prepare insect repellent before it gets really hot when the insects become more active. For example, if a mosquito (蚊) bites you, the swelling might subside within a few hours. However, bites from a horsefly (アブ) or a centipede (ムカデ) can cause pain, severe swelling, and may require a visit to the hospital. It is recommended to use insect repellent early to prevent these issues.
Here are the keywords you might be interested in when searching for insect repellent.
Key Japanese Words
| Japanese | Romaji | Hiragana | English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
防虫剤 |
bōchūzai |
ぼうちゅうざい |
insect repellent |
|
虫除け |
mushiyoke |
むしよけ |
insect repellent |
|
蚊 |
ka |
か |
mosquito |
|
ハエ |
hae |
- |
fly |
|
ゴキブリ |
gokiburi |
- |
cockroach |
|
カメムシ |
kamemushi |
- |
stink bug |
|
ムカデ |
mukade |
- |
centipede |
|
アブ |
abu |
- |
horsefly |
Chapter 2: Mosquito Repellents
Mosquitoes can be a concern from summer to early autumn. Even in high-rise apartments, mosquitoes can appear, and there are also biting flies that resemble mosquitoes. If bitten by a fly, it is recommended to visit a hospital. The author was bitten by a fly while waiting at a traffic light, thinking it was a mosquito bite, but the swelling didn’t go down and eventually required a hospital visit. Those with sensitive skin may experience red, swollen bites from mosquitoes, which can leave marks. It’s important to take proper precautions in advance. Let’s look at items for use outdoors, before going out, and treatments for bites.
#1: Outside the house
First, let’s discuss items to hang on your balcony or at your entrance. Open the box and hang the item on a rod, a door knob or similar object. Both types will last for one year. These are common items you might have seen outside some Japanese houses.
Next is the mosquito-repellent spray. Use it when gardening or washing your car outside by spraying it on bushes and the ground. Once sprayed, it keeps mosquitoes and flies away for 24 hours, making outdoor work more convenient.
Another traditional mosquito repellent in Japan is the mosquito coil. It is called Katori-Senko, written as 蚊取り線香 in Japanese. Take one from the package and light it with a lighter. Its spiral shape allows it to burn longer, providing extended protection.
#2: Before going outside
Before going to the park or taking a walk outside, spraying insect repellent on your body is another good idea. The items below are relatively gentle on the skin. They come in mist or gel form, so you don’t have to worry about making your clothes white. With some spray types, touching your clothes after spraying might cause them to turn white.
#3: Stop Itching
Unfortunately, if you are bitten by a mosquito, it is better to rely on topical medicine. These are popular ones you might see at any drugstore. If you have any allergies or concerns, please see a doctor or ask the pharmacist at the drugstore.
This medicine is for venomous insects like centipedes, ticks, caterpillars, and fleas found in parks or gardens, as well as jellyfish found in the sea. It’s effective against insects that the above mosquito repellents cannot handle. If bitten by a venomous insect, use the medicine as first aid, but it’s recommended to see a dermatologist or visit a hospital for further treatment.
Chapter 3: Cockroach repellent
Even if you live in a wooden house, a high-rise apartment, or a detached house, you might see cockroaches from around May to early winter. Since Japan has relatively high temperatures from spring onwards, it’s important to take precautions. There are various types of cockroach repellents available. Personally, I don’t want to see even one cockroach and prefer not to use strong chemicals because I have a cat at home. I’ve been using this product below for almost two years now. The benefit is that it doesn’t use synthetic chemical insecticides, but instead uses herbs that cockroaches hate. This makes it relatively safe for those with kids or pets like myself. The effect lasts about one month, so you have to buy and replace them monthly. This can be a disadvantage, but it is the same as other similar products.
If you prefer, there is a spray type that you can use in places where cockroaches often appear. It also has high insecticidal effectiveness when sprayed directly on cockroaches.
There is also a typical type where you leave bait for the cockroaches. They might be killed after eating it. If they take the bait back to their nest, it might be able to kill the rest of them as well.
Unfortunately, if you see one, there is a product that can freeze it. It freezes the cockroach at -85 degrees with natural herb oil that they hate and doesn’t use any chemical insecticides. This makes it relatively safe for homes with pets or small children.
Chapter 4: Insecticide effective against other bugs
For example, if you live in a detached house and are troubled by pests like centipedes, stink bugs, caterpillars, and ants entering your home, this type of powder can be useful. If you sprinkle the powder around your house, it creates a boundary that prevents insects from crossing. This type is also water-resistant and holds up well in the rain.
Furthermore, for insects that come to the window, there is a spray type. Simply spray it on the screen, and it will last for around four months to keep insects like stink bugs, spiders, termites, and moths away.
Hope this guide will be useful when preparing insect repellent in Japan. Another problem in the summer is the humidity and heavy rain. If you want to know about useful items for those issues, please take a look at the article below.
