[Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Saga] Attic/Ceiling Pest Breeding Season Intensifies from April! Increased Consultations for Noise, Feces, and Cries of Young from Raccoons, Weasels, etc., Free Inspection and Hygiene Measures Campaign Launched!

Progrant Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture; Representative Director: Yasuhiro Fujii) has begun issuing warnings for the breeding season of attic-invading pests (raccoons, weasels, civets, etc.), which tends to intensify from April onwards, targeting the entire areas of Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Saga Prefectures.

To prevent further damage and ensure early response, we have launched a free on-site inspection and a hygiene environment campaign utilizing next-generation photocatalysts.

According to Ministry of the Environment data, raccoons primarily give birth from April to June, with an average of 3 to 4 offspring per litter, and some data suggesting 3 to 6. From spring to early summer, attics are frequently used as nesting sites for raising young, making it a period when living damages such as noise, droppings, and foul odors are likely to surface.

Furthermore, the number of consultations received by our company in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Saga Prefectures for the period of March 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025, increased by 113% compared to the same month last year, indicating an upward trend in consultations during early spring.
*Our company's compilation. The number of cases refers to attic pest-related consultations received via phone, web, and LINE.

## Three Key Points of This Press Release

1. Early spring is the breeding season for raccoons and other pests, a time when consultations regarding attic noise, droppings, and foul odors tend to increase. The Ministry of the Environment also states that raccoons sometimes use attics as breeding grounds.

2. Our company saw a 113% year-on-year increase in relevant consultations in March 2025, with attic pest consultations via phone, web, and LINE on the rise.

3. With a three-base system in Kumamoto, Saga, and Kurume, we provide comprehensive support from on-site verification by qualified personnel to sealing, cleaning, and hygiene environment measures. A campaign for next-generation photocatalyst 'Eclipse Protector' application will be offered to customers who sign a contract for eligible work in April.

## Spring is a Time to Beware of Pest Breeding Damage in Attics

Raccoons are widely established in Japan, and according to Ministry of the Environment data, they generally give birth from spring to early summer. Births can start as early as April and continue until around June, and during this period, consultations regarding noises, cries, and odors in attics tend to increase. Attics are warm and have few predators, making them an ideal environment for raising young. This coincides with the breeding season and is considered a factor in the increase in consultations.

- If insulation is torn or crushed, it can lead not only to a decrease in residential comfort but also to pest nesting.
- Repeated defecation in the same spot can lead to strong odors and hygiene concerns.

## [Voices from the Field] Loud Footsteps at Night, Foul Odors, Ceiling Stains... Typical Cases of Increased Consultations in Early Spring

Currently, among inquiries, attic damage caused by raccoons is particularly noticeable. Ministry of the Environment data states that raccoons are medium-sized mammals weighing approximately 4 to 10 kg, and if they invade an attic, their footsteps and cries at night can lead to significant living stress.

In fact, our company has received consultations such as:
- "There are loud thumping sounds at night."
- "There are cries like children."
- "There is a strong smell coming from the attic."
- "I'm concerned about stains on the ceiling."

In neglected attics, repeated defecation in the same spot can lead to a state of "latrine droppings," causing foul odors and hygiene concerns. Furthermore, disturbed insulation can lead to a decrease in residential comfort and nesting damage, making early inspection crucial before the damage progresses.

## Consultation Trends Observed in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Saga

**Fukuoka Prefecture**

In our service area, consultations regarding "night noise," "attic footsteps," and "cries" are prominent, especially in urban suburbs and densely populated residential areas of Fukuoka Prefecture. In areas with continuous detached houses, movement via roofs, fences, and balconies is suspected in some cases, and although initially thought to be "rats," raccoon or weasel traces are sometimes confirmed during on-site inspections.

**Kumamoto Prefecture**

In our service area, consultations regarding "foul odors," "feces damage," and "disturbed insulation" are relatively common in Kumamoto Prefecture, with inquiries often triggered by attic odors or ceiling stains. In houses near waterways, agricultural land, vacant houses, or forests, attics tend to be used as breeding grounds.

**Saga Prefecture**

In our service area, consultations regarding "multiple noises," "intermittent footsteps," and "suddenly louder sounds in early spring" tend to increase in Saga Prefecture. In areas close to fields and rivers, where outdoor activity areas and residential areas are in close proximity, invasion damage is more likely to enter living spaces.

## [Caution] Self-Checklist for Attic Pest Invasion

If even one of the following items applies, there is a possibility that nesting or raising young has begun in your attic.

- You hear "thumping" or "rustling" sounds from the attic late at night or early in the morning.
- You hear "squeaking" or "chirping" sounds from the attic.
- You notice a strange animal odor or urine/feces smell indoors or near closets.
- There are black or brown stains on the ceiling boards.
- You find unfamiliar droppings around your house.
- There are damages or gaps around ventilation openings, eaves, or exterior walls.

If these signs coincide with early spring, early inspection is crucial.

## Is "Self-Extermination" Possible? Three Dangers of DIY Measures in Early Spring

Attic pests in early spring carry risks of legal violations, injuries, and infections with DIY measures. To prevent further damage and recurrence, please avoid unreasonable self-treatment and utilize the "immediate free inspection" by pest control professionals.

While methods for "self-extermination" are searched online, attempting to remove attic pests yourself is extremely difficult and carries the following significant risks:

- **[Risk of Legal Violation]** Wild animals such as raccoons and weasels are strictly regulated for capture and disposal by the "Wildlife Protection and Management Law" and the "Invasive Alien Species Act." It is prohibited by law for individuals to capture or kill them without permission (violations may be subject to penalties).

- **[Serious Injuries from Aggressive Mother Animals]** Early spring is the breeding and child-rearing season, so mother animals protecting their young are extremely nervous and aggressive. There is an extremely high risk of being bitten or scratched if encountered in a dark, narrow attic.

- **[Risk of Infection and Endless Recurrence]** Even if you temporarily drive them out with commercially available repellents, it is difficult to deal with the large amounts of droppings, mites, and pathogens left in the attic yourself. Furthermore, unless tiny gaps (entry points) are completely sealed and ingrained pheromones (animal odor) are thoroughly deodorized, other individuals will inevitably invade and recurrence will continue.

Please do not attempt to deal with it yourself, and utilize a safe free inspection by a specialist before the damage escalates.

Before attempting to deal with it yourself and incurring inflated house repair costs, please utilize a safe free inspection by a professional pest control company that promises complete recurrence prevention.

## For Pest Control, Proper Response Based on Situation Assessment is Crucial

At our company, we first assess the entry routes, damage situation, and potential target animals on-site, then explain the necessary work content and provide an estimate.

Progrant operates with a three-base system in Kumamoto headquarters, Saga office, and Kurume office, responding to a wide range of consultations in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Saga Prefectures. We offer comprehensive solutions from on-site verification by qualified personnel to sealing entry points, cleaning droppings, odor control, and hygiene environment measures.

## Progrant's Response System

### 1. Free Inspection and Free Estimate

We will assess the damage situation on-site, including the presence of entry points, the condition of droppings and odors, and insulation damage, then provide the survey results and an estimate.

### 2. On-site Verification by Qualified Personnel and Appropriate Proposal

Our company is registered as a "Rodent and Insect Control Business (Public Health Center registration)" and has various qualified personnel for pest and insect control. We propose appropriate work content based on the on-site situation.

### 3. Comprehensive Support from Inspection to Sealing, Cleaning, and Hygiene Measures

We provide comprehensive support according to the housing situation, including not only damage assessment but also expulsion, sealing entry points, cleaning droppings, odor control, and necessary hygiene environment measures.

### 4. Construction System Covering Three Kyushu Prefectures

With a three-base system in Kumamoto, Saga, and Kurume, we respond to a wide range of consultations in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Saga Prefectures. We emphasize on-site situation assessment, taking into account the housing environment and damage trends specific to each region.

### 5. Post-Construction Warranty System

We offer a warranty system depending on the scope of work, and the details will be explained in advance.

## [Limited to April] Hygiene Environment Measures Campaign Implemented

Attics invaded by pests can retain odors from droppings and pose hygiene concerns. Therefore, Progrant will implement a campaign for the application of our adopted next-generation photocatalyst 'Eclipse Protector' as part of post-cleaning hygiene measures, targeting customers who sign a contract for eligible work in April.

This campaign aims to address odor control and hygiene in attic spaces, and there are conditions regarding the scope of work and eligibility. Details will be provided during the on-site inspection. Please note that the campaign will end once the allocated slots are filled.

## Comment from Representative Director Yasuhiro Fujii

"Early spring is a time when consultations regarding noises and foul odors in attics tend to increase. Raccoons, in particular, may choose attics as places to give birth and raise their young, and if the damage progresses, it can lead to droppings, insulation damage, and living stress. At Progrant, we prioritize thorough on-site inspection and proposals tailored to the situation. If you notice any abnormalities, please consult us early."

## Contact Information

Consultations tend to increase in early spring, and on-site inspection schedules may become crowded. To prevent further damage, we recommend early inspection if you notice any abnormalities.

Official Website (Inquiries via Web): https://progrant.co.jp/
Consultation Free Dial: 0120-778-114
Reception Hours: 8:00-20:00 (Reception: Open all year round)
LINE Consultation: Available (Please feel free to consult us about anything, no matter how small.)

## Company Profile

Company Name: Progrant Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: Yasuhiro Fujii
Business Activities: Pest control and countermeasures (weasels, raccoons, civets, rats, bats, etc.), insect control (termites, centipedes, wasps, etc.), housing