~Summer Is the Season of Insect Bites~
Japanese summer is also the season of insect bites. Basically it means mosquitos, flies, bees, etc. You must feel itchy when you are bit by mosquitos or bees, however, there is risk of Dengue Fever or Zika Fever these days. Even though you don’t have to be afraid of them here in Japan, insecticide is essential to spend summer. These are the most popular insecticide to avoid insect bites. Each company sells several type of insecticide for mosquitos, flies, bees, ants, roaches, etc.
Insecticide ① Mosquito Coils
If you are from Southeast Asia, you might be familiar with mosquito coils. They are made by incense and used to contain pyrethrum paste, but they have become pyrethroid-based lately. Their feature is coiled to be used safely and last long, and their color used to be only green, however, recent mosquito coils have some variation of color and smell, and you can have choice of them. They are good to use outdoor includes camp and BBQ.
Insecticide ② Electric Mosquito Repellent Mat
Electric mosquito repellent mat was introduced by Fumakilla in 1963. You put the pyrethroid-based mat into the electric repellent and turn it on, then the drug is heated and volatile in the room. Because it doesn’t use fire and lasts longer than mosquito coils, it is used for especially while sleeping. Moreover, electric mosquito repellent liquid is now more popular instead of mat because it doesn’t need exchange for 30 days or 60 days and can use all summer long.
Insecticide ③ Mosquito Repellent Plates
Mosquito repellent plates are the one of newest insecticide these days. The features are hanging near entrance, window, veranda, etc. to prevent insects’ invasion and lasting for over 200 days. Because medicines are kneaded in the plate, it is hard to run out of the plate on rainy day and excellent in light fastness. That is why mosquito repellent plates is good for outdoor use. The mosquito repellent plates manufactured by some company are classified in over-the-counter drug and that usefulness is limited. You should pay attention to this when you buy mosquito repellent plates.
Insecticide ④ Aerosols
Aerosols would be the easiest way to prevent insect bites. Kinchol is Japan’s 1st insecticide aerosols which has been available since 1952. Kinchol comes from company’s name Kincho and oil, which is contained. Whenever you find insects, you spray the aerosol on them. The scent of Kinchol used to have only jasmine, however, rose scent Kinchol is also available these days. Moreover, Fumakilla A aerosol manufactured by Fumakilla doesn’t have scent and its oil has been cut. Major companies have their global site and you may check them before you get insecticide.
Kincho; www.kincho.co.jp/kaisha/en/
Fumakilla; www.fumakilla.co.jp/global/
Earth Chemical; www.earth-chem.co.jp/english/company/index.html
Yuko
Japan