How to survive the insects and mosquitoes of Japan?

During the hot and humid summer, many people face mosquitoes and insects in Japan. Those most affected live in small cities near nature, and that simple screen Japanese windows use, the amido (網戸), cannot protect you 100% from mosquitoes and bugs. The two that bite people most often are the Asian tiger mosquito (ヒトスジシマカ), active in daylight around parks and neighborhoods, and the common house mosquito (アカイエカ), which comes out after dark. In this article, we will share some tips and recommendations so that you can survive the insects and mosquitoes during the summer in Japan.

First Tip - When buying oils, lotions, essences, and other products for home or body, try to look for products that contain Pyrethrum in their ingredients, a flower that is widely used in repellents and insecticides. This is because the plant has pyrethrins that attack insects; on Japanese labels look for 除虫菊 for the flower itself and ピレスロイド系 for the synthetic pyrethroid family used in most coils and plug-ins today. Other natural products you can find are citronella (シトロネラ), lavender (ラベンダー油), and lemon eucalyptus (レモンユーカリ精油). Keep in mind that sometimes these products can cause allergies in some people.

Products against mosquitoes

Mosquito coil - Katorisenko (蚊取り線香) - The famous spiral we use to scare away mosquitoes can be found in Japan by the name Katorisenko. This spiral is basically an incense that contains an insecticide. There are even containers to place this coil; one of them is a ceramic pig called kayaributa (蚊遣豚), proving that pigs are on our side.

Electric vaporizer - Denshikatoriki (電子蚊取り器) - You know those devices we plug in against mosquitoes? This is the denshi katori that leaves little odor in the house and keeps working while it stays on. There are several different models in Japan, portable, USB, and liquid. Those that have something like gum are called Katorimatto (蚊取りマット) and usually last one night, while the liquids in containers last for months.

Electric shock racket - Dengeki satchū raketto (電撃殺虫ラケット) - The famous rackets that zap flying insects can be found in Japan by this name. If you want other electronic options like lamps, look for Dengeki satchu (電撃殺虫).

Insect repellent bracelet - Mushiyoke ringu 虫よけリング - These are rubber bracelets that scare away mosquitoes. They usually contain lemon oil, eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella. There are also portable repellents in the form of keychains. For a long day outside, pair them with a skin spray; the bracelet alone is a weak backup.

Buying insect repellent products

There are thousands of repellents and insect products. First, you need to decide if the product will be used to kill or prevent the presence of insects. There are also products that you can apply after an insect bite, products that should be used indoors or outdoors; there are many choices. You also need to decide if the repellent will be a spray or cream, or if it will be natural or chemical. On skin, the two drugstore names that matter are DEET (ディート) and icaridin (イカリジン), also labeled picaridin.

Below is a list of repellents you can take a look at:

• 虫よけムシガード プッシュ (Mushiyoke mushigādo pusshu)
• サラテクト (Saratect)
• スキンベープ (Skin Vape)
• オーガニックマドンナ アロマガードミスト (Organic Madonna Aroma Guard)
• お肌の虫よけミスト (Ohada no mushiyoke mist)
• Coleman 虫よけ (Coleman mushiyoke)

Click here and see how to survive the heat in Japan.

Below we will leave a vocabulary list that can help you choose your products:

At the drugstore in July, start with those Japanese words, then choose an indoor coil or plug-in for the room and a skin spray for walking outside. Empty flowerpot saucers and other standing water around the house, because that is where Aedes mosquitoes breed. Japanese encephalitis still circulates in rural areas from June to October, but it is rare, and a short stay in a major city is treated as low risk. For cicadas, beetles, and fireflies, the insects Japanese people actually celebrate, see the guide to popular insects in Japan.