Pest Control During Midsummer Disasters Part 1: Please Be Careful of Spoiled Food and Puddles

We would like to express our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake. We also offer our sincere condolences to those who have lost their lives.

This earthquake occurred during a period of intense heat. While evacuation and the restoration of daily life are the top priorities immediately following a disaster, because it is a midsummer disaster event, as time passes, there is a possibility that flies and mosquitoes and other sanitary pests may unexpectedly breed in large numbers. From the perspective of pest control, we would like to introduce some points to be careful about as much as possible.

Fly Control: Properly Dispose of "Spoiled Food"

During disasters, power outages and delays in garbage collection can occur. If power outages continue, food that was refrigerated or frozen will be left at room temperature, and in the summer, some food can spoil in just a few hours. Spoiled food becomes a breeding ground for
flies. Especially in midsummer, flies are active, quickly find decaying matter, and depending on the species, a single fly can lay over 100 eggs in a day. At current temperatures, they can become adults in a short period of about 10 days, potentially leading to mass outbreaks that cause discomfort and sanitary issues.
If possible, double-bag spoiled food in plastic bags and tie them tightly until garbage collection to prevent flies from laying eggs. If you have insect spray on hand, it is also effective to spray it before closing the bag or over the plastic. If you have land such as a home garden where you can dig a hole,
burying spoiled food directly in the soil is one method. Flies will not dig up the soil to lay eggs. In this case, please cover it firmly with at least 5 cm of soil so that there is no odor. Note that these measures are also effective for cockroach control
.

Mosquito Control: Please Also Be Careful of Small "Puddles"

In western Kyushu, although there is no forecast for heavy rain for a while, there can be localized evening showers or sudden rain in the summer. Small puddles can form in
furniture temporarily placed outdoors, broken pottery, [[phdepressions in garbage bags, or folds in blue tarps. Such places become breeding grounds for ]]mosquitoes, especially the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). At current temperatures, it takes just over 10 days from egg to larva to adult. A large number of mosquitoes is not only unpleasant but also places a burden on recovery work and outdoor living.
After it rains, check items left outdoors for standing water as much as you can, and if you find any, dispose of the water or take steps to prevent water from accumulating to prevent mass outbreaks.

Heatstroke is not the only thing to be careful about during a midsummer disaster. While it may be difficult to find time for pest control during ongoing recovery work and evacuation life, managing spoiled food and puddles as much as possible will help suppress mass outbreaks of flies and mosquitoes and lead to maintaining a sanitary living environment as much as possible. We sincerely pray for everyone's safety and for the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction.