Pest Control During Midsummer Disasters Part 2: Measures and Products Useful for Evacuation Life and Recovery Work

We would like to express our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake. We also offer our sincere condolences to those who have lost their lives.

In the intense heat of evacuation life and recovery work, besides heatstroke, pest outbreaks are also a concern. This is a season when pests like mosquitoes and flies are active, and because the environment is different from usual,
conditions become favorable for them to emerge. They are not only unpleasant but can also lead to reduced work efficiency and deteriorating sanitary conditions. Here, for those living in evacuation centers, those involved in recovery and reconstruction work, and those considering volunteering or providing supplies to the affected areas, we introduce
measures against mosquitoes and flies, as well as useful products.

Click here for the previous note: "Pest Control During Midsummer Disasters Part 1: Please be careful of 'spoiled food' and 'puddles'"

Beware of massive mosquito outbreaks

In the future, after evening showers or sudden rain, mosquitoes may emerge from small puddles formed in furniture temporarily placed outdoors, broken pottery, depressions in garbage bags, or sagging blue tarps. Mosquitoes can develop from eggs to larvae to adults in just over 10 days at current temperatures. Even if there are few now, puddles formed after rain can become breeding grounds,
leading to a sudden increase in mosquitoes in 1 to 2 weeks. Mosquitoes entering indoors are not only unpleasant but can also hinder recovery work. After rain, it is important to
reduce breeding sources as much as possible by finding and draining standing water or preventing water from accumulating. Mosquitoes (especially the Asian tiger mosquito) can breed in as little as a bottle cap's worth of water in gutters, drainage basins, or buckets. Be mindful of even small puddles.

Products useful for 'mosquito' control during disasters: Outdoors

For outdoor work, we recommend placing mosquito coils upwind to repel or exterminate mosquitoes. Using a hanging coil tray allows you to conveniently carry it on your waist or place it nearby while working. It is also effective to use spray-type insecticides directly on insects that have appeared.

*KINCHO offers the following products:
Kincho Coil Kincho Coil Thick Type (also effective against flies) Kincho-l
(The above are quasi-drug pest control products), Kincho Coil Tray

Also, using insect repellent on your skin can prevent insect bites while working outdoors. Products containing icaridin as an active ingredient can be used on both skin and clothing.

*KINCHO offers the following products:
Skin Insect Repellent Preshower Insect Repellent Kincho-l DF Powder-Free
(Both are quasi-drug pest control products)

Products useful for 'mosquito' control during disasters: Indoors

At evacuation sites or at home, there are many cases where fire cannot be used or outlets are occupied by other electrical appliances. Mosquito repellents that do not require power and can be used just by placing them, or one-push type mosquito repellents, can be used in such situations.

*KINCHO offers the following products:
Sinkatori Mosquitoes Gone Spray (Both are quasi-drug pest control products)

Measures when flies are present

Flies are active in midsummer. If refrigerators or freezers cannot be used temporarily due to power outages and there is spoiled food, flies will use their excellent detection ability to find such rotting matter and lay large numbers of eggs in a short time. At current temperatures, flies also develop from eggs to adults in about 10 days. If they emerge in large numbers,
it can be not only unpleasant but also a sanitary issue. Garbage collection may be delayed, but if you find items where fly larvae (maggots) have emerged, dispose of them before they become adults. If you double-bag them in plastic bags and seal them, the larvae will die from lack of oxygen. Maggots grow large in a few days under high temperatures, so early disposal is important if you find them.

Products useful for 'fly' control during disasters

Adult flies can be exterminated with spray-type insecticides. Also, coils that are effective against flies are useful for outdoor measures.

*KINCHO offers the following products:
Kincho-l Kincho Coil Thick Type (also effective against flies)
(Both are quasi-drug pest control products)

Heatstroke is not the only thing to be careful about during midsummer disasters. To ensure recovery work proceeds smoothly and to maintain your living environment as much as possible during evacuation, let's take pest control measures within our capabilities. We sincerely pray for the safety of everyone in Kumamoto and for the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction.

*Please read the usage precautions carefully before using any of these products.