good morning everyone, I’m planning to move to Japan to study Japanese, probably given the times I should move around December January, my problem is that I can’t stand certain insects mainly spiders really scare me, but never as much as mukade, with spiders I can solve it by spraying, but the mukade are fucking beasts of satan
I was wondering, if one were to stay in the city, how likely would there be to meet them? there are specific sprays to kill them or I’d better arm myself with a flammable spray and a lighter, and if so, there could be tricks to avoid letting them enter the house as well as keeping it dry, I know they pass through the bathroom, but in theory if one seals them possible holes in the doors and windows frames shouldn’t that be enough to prevent them from entering?
I already know that when I will go to Japan, even before going home, I will go shopping at the conbini, spending a few hundred euros on poison sprays😂
I know my post might sound silly, but I’ve read stories on reddit about mukade that would make even the worst horror movie pale
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/13sid52/about_mukade_advice_for_a_foreigner_student/
3 comments
I’ve lived in Japan for over 15 years (4 years in Tokyo and 11 years in Osaka) and have never encountered a mukade.
Take it as you want.
Nah not silly at all, comes up from time to time
I haaaaaateeeeeeeee centipedes so
1) Most shops will have stuff to get rid of them. Want something stronger? Check out a hardware shop – mind be careful how you can use some of this stuff because it can be stanky, cause discolouration, etc
2) Clear out gutters and drain areas near to or that collect large amounts of bio refuse like plants and food waste. This goes the same for doors and your utility hatch if you’re on a ground floor. ESPECIALLY during autumn which is when they enjoy mulch most
3) Get rid of milkweed plants near your doors and entry points. For some reason that hardy little plant attracts them
4) The little jerks hate eucalyptus and mint scents so a diffuser with them near doorways or similar access points will do. As above be careful with anything too strong a scent
5) Saltwater, vinegar or bleach at the door gap will help too. DO NOT mix vinegar and bleach as that’s dangerous for you to come into contact with! Someone told me cedarwood spray will do too but I’ve not tried that
6) They like the wet so a dehumidifier might be a decent idea, especially in warmer months and depending where you are
7) I know you said you hate spiders but they are very helpful. When I got here, I caught 3 little phintella/jumping spiders and loosed them into the apartment (Australian ne?) because they eat little bugs/pests including centipede larvae which means the adults avoid them too. Those little bugs are also a centipedes food source and because spiders are better hunters, centipedes starve. (So make sure to take out your garbage often!)
Only rarely see the spiders but less so other bugs. As far as I’m concerned Holt (Most efficient), Terry (Biggest) and Jake (Most active) are as good as paying rent to stay
General tip – do NOT squish centipedes when killing them! Even when they die by spray they let off a scent that calls other centipedes like hells dinner bell. If smooshed or flamed (I don’t know where that comes from but generally a bad idea) even more so. Sanitise the spot quickly if you do.
I’ve only rarely seen insects in city houses in Japan. No need to buy sprays and stuff imho.
For instance, my wife is scared of pretty much all insects and she never has issues there, whereas she fill the suitcases with sprays for every other destination.