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Japan is an island nation with an abundance of nature, making it an ideal habitat for many critters and insects. Therefore, when you travel to Japan, you are likely to find insects everywhere, including in the mountains, in the sea, and even in parks in urban areas around your home.
There are many types of insects in Japan, most of them harmless, but others can pose a threat if you don’t keep an eye on them. In this article, we will introduce you to some insects to know about before traveling to Japan and what to do if you come across these insects in the wild.
1. Japanese Giant Hornet
Wasps are highly feared throughout Japan and can be aggressive and venomous, so you can never be too careful. They often appear in metropolitan areas such as central Tokyo and Chiba causing grief to local residents.
Wasp nests can be found in stumps, on the ground, and even in grassy areas, making them difficult to detect. If you see a wasp or its nest, do not provoke it and leave immediately. It is important to stay calm and put as much distance as possible between yourself and the wasp while keeping yourself safe and orderly.
If it bites you, rest easy and watch it for about 20 minutes. Then rinse the poison well with clean water. If the bee’s stinger is stuck in your skin, gently pull it out and remove the venom from the wound. If you have acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cold sweats or dizziness, do not hesitate to go to the hospital.
2. Centipede
Millipedes are a common pest in Japan, and there are said to be between 130 and 150 species of millipedes living in Japan. Centipedes are primarily nocturnal, living under stones, rocks, and piles of dead leaves. However, there are cases of people being bitten by centipedes when they accidentally step on them or find them in their shoes.
The centipede bite causes immediate sharp pain, and the venom injected into the skin causes severe inflammation. It is very rare for a centipede bite to be serious, so it is important to treat the bite calmly. After being bitten by a centipede, immediately wash the poison out of the wound with clean water. After washing, it is advisable to apply a steroid ointment.
3. Caphard
No wonder the cockroach is one of the most hated pests in Japan. Found almost everywhere in Japan, their grotesque appearance is the bane of many, yet many cockroach products are available in Japanese pharmacies across the country.
They prefer warm, dark, and cramped places and often live in groups. They are omnivorous, eating food scraps and even the droppings of other cockroaches. Their bite is so strong that they can even gnaw through power cables, sometimes leading to electricity leaks, and on rare occasions, they even chew on human skin at bedtime, mistaking it for food. Although their bites are not toxic, bacteria can enter through the wounds, so it is advisable to disinfect the wound and then apply ointment in case of a bite.
4. Mosquito
Mosquitoes are a common problem for many Japanese come the hot summer months. They breed mainly near water and suck blood by sensing the smell of carbon dioxide and sweat emitted from human skin. Only the female mosquito sucks human blood.
Normally, the female mosquito lives by absorbing the nutrients from the sugar flowers, but when the time comes to lay eggs, she sucks human blood to absorb more nutrients. Mosquito bites itch because when the mosquito sucks human blood, the human skin is injected with saliva that contains an ingredient that prevents blood clotting.
The itch is nasty, but even scarier is the infection, which is known to carry Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, and various other diseases. Abroad, mosquitoes can also carry malaria and other fearsome diseases. If a mosquito bite itches, don’t scratch too hard. Bacteria can get into the scratched area and cause pus to form or make itching worse. If the itching is severe, cool it first, wash it with clean water, and then apply an anti-itch ointment.
5. cicada
The song of cicadas is almost synonymous with Japanese summer, and around 30 species of cicadas can be found throughout the country. They are mostly found in places with lots of trees, such as parks and forests, and are only really active in summer.
Cicadas have straw mouths and obtain nutrients by sucking the sap and fluids from the grass. The most common cicada in Japan is the aburazemi (アブラゼミ), named for the sound it makes, which is similar to the sound of fried tofu.
As the larva grows, it eventually climbs a tree and, after hatching, becomes an adult. Once it becomes an adult, it can only live for seven days, during which it must find a mate. If you look closely at a tree, you may find many cicada shells clinging to it from their malting.
6. Stink Bug
Bed bugs are very plentiful and come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. They feed by putting their mouths on fruits and plants and sucking the juices. Because of this, they are sometimes considered pests because they cause rot to fruit and other plants.
An important characteristic of bed bugs is that they emit an unpleasant odor that deters predators. They often stick to clothing in Japanese homes, causing the stench to transfer to clothing and becoming an absolute nuisance to homes. Bed bugs have a habit of congregating on light-colored objects, making white shirts and sheets a prime target. When washing clothes, be careful not to put tacks on the clothes, otherwise they will damage the freshly washed clothes.
7. Hunter’s Spider
The Huntsman spider is a large spider that looks very scary and can be found throughout the year, regardless of the season. They are found throughout the country, with the exception of Hokkaido due to the cold climate.
If you see a spider that big, you might get scared right away, and your first instinct might be to squash it. However, huntsman spiders have been known to feed on nasty pests like cockroaches and flies and will not attack people. This is why they are known as beneficial insects that will eat up all the nasty bugs in your home if left unattended. If you don’t care about their appearance, you can keep them alive as an unofficial “roommate” to catch roaches and flies.
If you see a whimsical spider in Japan with an intricate pattern, it may be a Joro spider. The Joro spider is a common spider found in gardens, forests, parks, and brambles. They live in webs of their own creation, mainly eating the prey caught in their webs. In order to eat their prey, they first inject it with venom, however the venom is not strong enough to harm humans. That being said, the bite can still be quite painful, so don’t provoke the spider. Without provocation, however, they are highly unlikely to attack.
In this article, we have covered some insects to look out for when in Japan and what to do if you encounter them. Basically, if you don’t cause any of these errors, they most likely won’t hit you, so the best thing to do is to avoid and ignore them. If you don’t like insects, we recommend using insect repellent, which can be easily purchased at Japanese pharmacies. Mosquitoes and other biting insects can also be treated with anti-itch medicines available in pharmacies, but if you are bitten by a poisonous insect, you may need to go to the hospital right away, depending on your symptoms. Beware of these insects and enjoy the natural beauty of Japan at your leisure!
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