Rats become most common pests in Japanese homes; priority given to preventing intrusion by checking gaps
A survey reveals that rats are the most common pests in Japanese homes, emphasizing the importance of checking and sealing gaps to prevent intrusion. The survey also highlighted regional differences in other common pests and increased activity during spring and summer.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 23:31 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 06:46 (7h 14m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 5th) In recent years, in addition to frequent bear damage in Japan, the problem of small pests around daily life also cannot be ignored. According to a survey by Tokyo Pest Control Company, "rats" are the most common invading pests in residences across the country, becoming a major hidden danger affecting home safety and hygiene.
The survey targeted 1005 residents aged 20 to 70 living in detached houses who had experienced pest infestations in the past three years. The results showed that the proportion of rats appearing was consistently first across all regions, including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa, reaching nearly 50% at its highest.
In contrast, the second and third most common pests showed regional differences. For example, the second most common in Kanto and Shikoku was the masked palm civet, while in Kansai and Kyushu, weasels were dominant. Hokkaido had crow problems, and some areas even had bats.
The survey also pointed out that most people first detected pests in spring (48.6%) and summer (46.4%), indicating a significant increase in pest activity as temperatures rise and breeding seasons arrive.
Facing the rat problem, local governments have also proposed control measures. Taking municipalities in Tokyo as an example, including Meguro Ward and Koto Ward, all emphasize that "preventing intrusion" is more important than extermination.
Meguro Ward pointed out that there are mainly three types of rats commonly found entering homes. First is the largest brown rat, with a body length of about 22 to 26 cm. These rats have smaller ears and tails shorter than their bodies, are fierce, often active in damp places like sewers, are good swimmers, and may even emerge from toilets.
Second is the black rat, with a body length of about 15 to 23 cm. Its characteristics include large ears and tails longer than its body. It often appears in high, dry places like ceilings, moves primarily vertically, is good at climbing, and can even walk on power lines. As for the smallest house mouse, it can infiltrate places like warehouses and has become less common in recent years.
Since rats only need a gap of about 1.5 to 2.5 cm (about the size of a 500 yen coin) to enter indoors, it is recommended that people check drainage pipes, vents, air conditioning holes, and wall cracks, and seal them with metal mesh, steel wool, or caulking materials.
Regarding habits, since rats need to eat about 1/10 to 1/4 of their body weight daily, and because their stomachs are very small, they need to eat frequently. If they don't eat, they will starve to death in about 1 day when it's cold, and about 4 to 5 days when it's hot. Therefore, authorities also urge avoiding providing food sources, including storing food in sealed spaces, using sealed trash cans, and clearing clutter that could become nesting materials, to reduce the incentive for rats to inhabit.
If a rat infestation has already occurred, sticky traps or poisoned bait can be used for control, but these methods are mostly short-term responses, and poisoned bait may cause rats to die in hidden places, leading to decomposition problems, so it is not recommended for summer use.
According to data from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, since the enforcement of the "Infectious Diseases Control Law" in 1999, no cases of Hantavirus infection have been confirmed in Japan. However, rats can still carry pathogens such as Salmonella, which can contaminate food and kitchen utensils. In addition, rats may gnaw on pillars, furniture, and even electrical wires and gas pipes, causing electrical leaks, fires, or gas leaks, so precautions must still be taken. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 5th) In recent years, in addition to frequent bear damage in Japan, the problem of small pests around daily life also cannot be ignored. According to a survey by Tokyo Pest Control Company, "rats" are the most common invading pests in residences across the country, becoming a major hidden danger affecting home safety and hygiene.
The survey targeted 1005 residents aged 20 to 70 living in detached houses who had experienced pest infestations in the past three years. The results showed that the proportion of rats appearing was consistently first across all regions, including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa, reaching nearly 50% at its highest.
In contrast, the second and third most common pests showed regional differences. For example, the second most common in Kanto and Shikoku was the masked palm civet, while in Kansai and Kyushu, weasels were dominant. Hokkaido had crow problems, and some areas even had bats.
The survey also pointed out that most people first detected pests in spring (48.6%) and summer (46.4%), indicating a significant increase in pest activity as temperatures rise and breeding seasons arrive.
Facing the rat problem, local governments have also proposed control measures. Taking municipalities in Tokyo as an example, including Meguro Ward and Koto Ward, all emphasize that "preventing intrusion" is more important than extermination.
Meguro Ward pointed out that there are mainly three types of rats commonly found entering homes. First is the largest brown rat, with a body length of about 22 to 26 cm. These rats have smaller ears and tails shorter than their bodies, are fierce, often active in damp places like sewers, are good swimmers, and may even emerge from toilets.
Second is the black rat, with a body length of about 15 to 23 cm. Its characteristics include large ears and tails longer than its body. It often appears in high, dry places like ceilings, moves primarily vertically, is good at climbing, and can even walk on power lines. As for the smallest house mouse, it can infiltrate places like warehouses and has become less common in recent years.
Since rats only need a gap of about 1.5 to 2.5 cm (about the size of a 500 yen coin) to enter indoors, it is recommended that people check drainage pipes, vents, air conditioning holes, and wall cracks, and seal them with metal mesh, steel wool, or caulking materials.
Regarding habits, since rats need to eat about 1/10 to 1/4 of their body weight daily, and because their stomachs are very small, they need to eat frequently. If they don't eat, they will starve to death in about 1 day when it's cold, and about 4 to 5 days when it's hot. Therefore, authorities also urge avoiding providing food sources, including storing food in sealed spaces, using sealed trash cans, and clearing clutter that could become nesting materials, to reduce the incentive for rats to inhabit.
If a rat infestation has already occurred, sticky traps or poisoned bait can be used for control, but these methods are mostly short-term responses, and poisoned bait may cause rats to die in hidden places, leading to decomposition problems, so it is not recommended for summer use.
According to data from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, since the enforcement of the "Infectious Diseases Control Law" in 1999, no cases of Hantavirus infection have been confirmed in Japan. However, rats can still carry pathogens such as Salmonella, which can contaminate food and kitchen utensils. In addition, rats may gnaw on pillars, furniture, and even electrical wires and gas pipes, causing electrical leaks, fires, or gas leaks, so precautions must still be taken. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
No text, images, or videos on this website may be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.