What to do if you find termites or roaches

🪳 Pest Prevention in Japan (Ants, Termites, Roaches, and Wasps)

Okinawa’s tropical climate makes it easy for insects such as ants, termites, roaches, and wasps to appear throughout the year, especially during the warm and rainy months.
This guide explains when pests are most active, how to prevent infestations, what to do if you find them, and which products are safe and effective to use in Japan.

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🕓 1. Pest Activity by Season in Okinawa

Pest Type	Active Season	Notes
🐜 Ants	March–October	Common during rainy season, enter through walls or balconies
🪵 Termites	April–July	Appear during humid season; swarm after rain
🪳 Cockroaches (Gokiburi)	April–November	Peak activity in summer (June–September)
🐝 Wasps (Suzumebachi / Hachi)	May–October	Build nests in balconies, roofs, or trees
🦟 Mosquitoes	May–October	Thrive in standing water; common after typhoons

💡 Tip: Keep preventive measures active from spring to late autumn, when pest activity is highest.

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🌿 2. General Pest Prevention

🧼 Keep Your Home Clean and Dry

• Wipe food residue, crumbs, and spills immediately.

• Keep drains, sinks, and trash bins dry and covered at night.

• Clean under refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines regularly.

🚪 Seal Entry Points

• Inspect around doors, windows, and AC pipe holes for gaps.

• Use silicone caulking or report openings to maintenance.

• Keep screens (網戸 / amido) closed tightly, especially in the evening.

💡 Remove Attractants

• Avoid leaving pet food, open containers, or cardboard boxes lying around.

• Store food in sealed plastic containers.

• Empty trash daily during warm months.

🌿 A few minutes of daily cleaning can prevent most infestations before they start.

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🐜 3. Ants (アリ / Ari)

“Ari no Su Korori” ant bait traps by Earth Corporation, Image Source: Earth Corporation

🔹 Common Season

March–October, especially during Okinawa’s rainy months.

🔹 What to Do

1. Locate where ants are coming from (balcony, wall gap, or floor corner).

2. Wipe their trail using soap water or vinegar to remove scent.

3. Place ant bait traps (アリの巣コロリ) near the entry point.

   • Ants will carry the bait back to the nest and eliminate the colony.

🔹 Recommended Products

• 🧴 アリの巣コロリ Gel Type – Earth Corp.

• 💊 Katori Ant Blocker – Kincho

⚠️ Do not spray directly before placing bait — it will scatter the ants and reduce effectiveness.

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🪵 4. Termites (シロアリ / Shiroari)

Termite damage to wooden flooring (Japan), Image Source: ADF Web Magazine

🔹 Common Season

April–July, especially after rainy days and in humid spaces.

🔹 Signs of Termites

• Small mud tubes near walls or flooring

• Hollow wood sound when tapped

• Discarded wings near windows or baseboards

🔹 What to Do

• Do not spray or touch the affected area, this spreads them.

• Take clear photos and contact our office immediately for inspection.

🔹 Prevention

• Keep bathrooms, sinks, and laundry areas dry and ventilated.

• Use dehumidifiers (除湿機) during rainy season.

• Avoid storing wooden items or cardboard near walls or floors.

⚠️ Only licensed pest control companies can safely treat termite infestations in Japan.

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🪳 5. Cockroaches (ゴキブリ / Gokiburi)

Black Cap bait traps, Image Source: Earth Corporation

🔹 Common Season

April–November, peak in June–September due to humidity.

🔹 What to Do

1. Use instant spray (アースジェット / Earth Jet) if you see one.

2. Wipe surfaces with soap water to remove scent.

3. Place bait traps under sinks, behind fridge, and near drains.

🔹 Recommended Products

Product	Brand	Type	Use
ブラックキャップ (Black Cap)	Earth Corp.	Bait trap	Long-term prevention
ゴキブリホイホイ (Gokiburi Hoihoy)	Kincho	Sticky trap	Great for kitchen corners
アースジェット (Earth Jet)	Earth Corp.	Spray	Fast action
バルサン (Baal-san)	Earth Corp.	Fumigation bomb	Use only when away for the day

⚠️ If using バルサン, turn off all electronics, cover food, and leave the home for at least 3 hours.

🔹 Prevention

• Keep sink drains closed at night.

• Empty trash bins daily.

• Clean stove and counters after dinner.

• Seal holes behind gas stoves and under sinks with aluminum tape.

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🐝 6. Wasps (ハチ / Hachi, often スズメバチ Suzumebachi)

(Image Source: Environment Ministry)

🔹 Common Season

May–October, peak in July–September when nests grow larger.

🔹 Where They Appear

• Under balcony ceilings, roof edges, or trees near the house.

• Sometimes near light fixtures or outdoor AC units.

🔹 What to Do

1. Do not approach the nest — wasps in Japan can be aggressive.

2. Take a photo from a safe distance.

3. Contact Saki Corporation immediately.

🔹 Recommended Products (For Prevention Only)

• 🧴 ハチアブマグナムジェット (Hachi-Abe Magnum Jet) – spray from 3–4 meters away

• ハチ取り (Hachi-tori) - Bee trap

• 🏡 [Wasp Nest Repellent Decoy (ダミー巣)] – discourages new nest formation

⚠️ Never attempt to remove an active wasp nest yourself. Professional pest teams in Japan are trained for safe removal.

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🧰 7. Monthly Pest Prevention Checklist

Area	What to Check
Kitchen	Clean grease, store food sealed, check drains
Bathroom	Keep dry, use exhaust fan after shower
Balcony	Clear debris, check for wasp nests
Laundry	Dry wet floors, clean lint and filters
Storage	Avoid cardboard, use insect repellent packets

💡 Use 防虫剤 (Bōchū-zai) or ムカデコロリ (Mukade Korori) packets for closets, shoe boxes, and corners.

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🚨 8. When to Contact Saki Corporation

Please contact our maintenance team if you notice:

• Termite activity or mud tubes

• Wasp nests on balconies or near entrances

• Repeated roach sightings despite traps

• Severe ant trails or nest activity

Submit your maintenance request including clear photos of the issue for faster response.

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✅ Summary Table

Pest	Season	Action	Recommended Product
🐜 Ants	Mar–Oct	Clean, place bait traps	アリの巣コロリ Gel
🪵 Termites	Apr–Jul	Report immediately	Professional inspection
🪳 Roaches	Apr–Nov	Spray & bait traps	ブラックキャップ / アースジェット
🐝 Wasps	May–Oct	Stay away, report	ハチアブマグナムジェット
🦟 Mosquitoes	May–Oct	Drain water, repellent	ベープマット / 虫コナーズ

🏡 Consistent prevention, ventilation, and cleaning will drastically reduce pest activity in Okinawa’s tropical environment.