As the temperature climbs higher and higher this season, another unwelcome guest seems to multiply at the same pace: mosquitoes. Last night, I was bitten on the middle finger while sleeping, and the itchiness was so intense that it woke me up—and kept me from getting back to sleep. What’s worse, mosquitoes always seem to go for the most sensitive spots, like your fingers and toes, as if they’re aiming for maximum annoyance.
That signature whine of their wings—that unmistakable "bzzzz" right by your ear—has robbed many of us of precious sleep. And if it were just about the itch, I could maybe let it slide. But mosquitoes are also notorious for spreading some truly nasty diseases: malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, to name just a few. In the rankings of "world's most dangerous creatures"—measured by annual human fatalities—mosquitoes are the undisputed champion. They may be tiny, but the havoc they wreak is anything but small.
Thankfully, here in Japan, we have a true hero in the fight for restful sleep and good spirits: the aptly named 蚊がいなくなる(Kaga Inakunaru) Spray—literally, "Mosquito Vanishing Spray." And let me tell you, this stuff is nothing short of miraculous. One quick spray in the room, and suddenly, those pesky mosquitoes vanish as if by magic. The first time I tried it, I actually found myself wondering, “Wait, is this even safe? It’s almost too effective!”
↑ My trusty summer sidekick
Being a natural worrywart, I had to look into it. It turns out that the main ingredient in this spray is a type of pyrethroid insecticide. Pyrethroids target the mosquito’s nervous system, knocking them out with just a tiny amount. Humans and pets, on the other hand, have special enzymes that break down and flush these compounds out of our bodies. So unless you decide to inhale vast clouds of the stuff, it’s considered safe to use as directed.
Of course, nothing in life is ever 100% risk-free. If you keep fish, shrimp, or other aquarium creatures—or, say, pet beetles or butterflies—be extra careful. For them, even a trace amount can be deadly.
↑ The product website is packed with warnings, most notably in bold red letters: “Do not use in rooms with aquariums.”
I honestly think this spray is brilliant, but I’ve never seen anything like it for sale in the U.S.—it seems to be a uniquely Japanese invention that hasn’t made its way overseas. As long as mosquitoes return every summer (as they surely will), I’ll keep relying on this little can of wonder. After all, I’d much rather trust my sleep to science than spend another night being serenaded by that dreaded mosquito whine. I understand that mosquitoes are just trying to survive, but I have no intention of sharing my blood with them.
