So, I moved to inaka somewhere, Japan in late summer of 2022. I only saw a few mukade outside, but that was it. My predecessor told me that they got mukade inside, but not many.
Well, that was a lie. Spring 2023 came. Spring brought destruction and chaos to my mental health. Spring is now associated with emerging mukade and sakura mochi.
From late March until literally December of 2023, I had MANY mukade intrude. I’m not joking. From April to August, I would get 2-5 mukade (HUGE ones, tiny ones, all sizes) coming inside EVERY DAY. The invasions start lessening in late September but I still saw a few throughout autumn and even early winter.
My supervisor said they couldn’t do anything about it or even help me move. I never got bit, but oh my god, I *hated* coming home. What should be a safe space became a source of immense fear and discomfort. I barely slept, I woke up every hour at every little noise…I would constantly be looking over my shoulder to see if any mukade were sneaking up on me. I also sleep in a tent on my bed.
I’ve spent around $500 usd last summer on sprays, traps, powders, and mowing fees and they still came inside. Also, have you ever heard mukade *squeak*??! They make SOUNDS! The squeaking is the most terrifying thing I could hear in the middle of the night.
I’m leaving this summer, thank god, but in the meantime, does anyone who deals with daily mukade, have any tips or products they’d like to share with me that are actually effective?
This year, I don’t want to be tortured again. I’ve tried all sprays (freezing, bee spray, bug spray) and sprayed at all entrances, diatomaceous earth powder at all entrances, those grey small traps, hinoki oil and spray and jelly cubes, taping shut open cracks that would lead to inside, this weird gravel-sand thing that has deterrent in it, and this super expensive liquid spray that goes in the yard to deter them. I would do this twice a week every week. Those little demons are determined.
**Edit:** So to address a few things: Yes, my house is very old and one-story level. It has a yard and is surrounded by grass. Also, I always keep the drains plugged/covered. Air conditioner is never used and always is sealed/has a cap on it. I’ve never squashed one ever–I only spray until they’re dead and I toss outside. The next day, they are always in the same spot, completely dead so spraying them works. I’m not asking about killing, but about **keeping them out**, since they’re so persistent.
by Lannah808