Mukade are large centipedes commonly found in Japan, especially during warm and humid seasons. They may enter homes from small gaps around doors, windows, drains, vents, or areas close to gardens and soil.
A mukade bite can be very painful and may cause swelling, redness, numbness, or allergic reactions. If you are bitten and symptoms are strong, or if you feel unwell, please seek medical care promptly.
1. What to Do If You See a Mukade
Please do not touch it with your hands.
Use a centipede spray, insect freeze spray, or long tongs if available. Mukade can move quickly and may bite if handled directly.
After removing it, check the surrounding area carefully, especially near shoes, bedding, laundry, bathrooms, entrance areas, and dark corners.
2. Common Places Mukade Hide
Mukade prefer dark, damp, and hidden areas.
Please check:
- Shoes and boots before wearing them
- Laundry left on the floor
- Bedding near walls or windows
- Bathrooms and drains
- Entrance areas
- Storage rooms
- Around sliding doors and window frames
- Outdoor areas with leaves, weeds, stones, or wood
3. How to Help Prevent Mukade from Entering
Please keep the inside and outside of the home as clean and dry as possible.
Recommended steps:
- Keep doors and windows closed when not in use
- Use screen doors properly
- Check for gaps around doors and windows
- Avoid leaving laundry, towels, or bedding on the floor
- Reduce moisture by ventilating bathrooms and wet areas
- Keep shoes off the floor if possible
- Remove fallen leaves, weeds, and unnecessary items around the building
- Use commercially available mukade repellent around entrances and outdoor areas
Mukade often come from the natural environment, especially in houses near gardens, mountains, fields, or damp areas.
4. Recommended Items Available in Japan
You may find these items at home centers, drugstores, or online:
- ムカデ用殺虫スプレー
Centipede insect spray - 凍結スプレー
Insect freeze spray - ムカデ忌避剤
Centipede repellent - すきまテープ
Gap-sealing tape - 排水口カバー
Drain cover - トング
Long tongs
Please follow the product instructions carefully, especially if you have children, pets, or sensitive skin.
5. If You Are Bitten
Wash the affected area with running water. Do not scratch or squeeze the bite.
If you have strong pain, swelling, numbness, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, or symptoms of an allergic reaction, please seek medical attention immediately.
For medical advice, please contact a doctor, clinic, or emergency service.
6. When to Contact the Property Management Company
Please contact us if:
- You see mukade repeatedly inside the home
- You believe there is a gap, broken screen, drain issue, or building-related entry point
- You find many pests in the same area
- You can provide photos or details of where they are entering
Please include:
- Date and time
- Location inside or outside the home
- Approximate number seen
- Photos, if available
We will review the situation and determine whether there may be a property maintenance issue.
Important Note
Insects such as mukade, spiders, mosquitoes, ants, and cockroaches may occur as part of the natural environment in Japan. General pest prevention and pest control are usually the resident’s responsibility.
However, if there appears to be a building-related issue, such as damaged screens, gaps, or structural entry points, the property management company will review the matter and consider appropriate action.