"Quickly Do This at the Door"… Japanese 30-Year Expert's 'Mosquito Repellent Method' Gains Attention

Suddenly Running In From 3~5m Away from the Entrance Door
"Mosquito, Move Slowly... If You Run Fast, I Can't Keep Up"

A Japanese mosquito expert has attracted attention from local netizens by proposing 'paint (paint·deception)' as a method to deal with mosquitoes in autumn.

Japan's TBS News detailed autumn mosquito repellent methods on the 2nd (local time). The program host interviewed Shirai Ryo, the head of the Pest Control Technology Research Institute who has studied pests exclusively for 30 years. Shirai cited 'paint' as the secret to avoiding mosquito bites.

Paint is a technique used by professional athletes in some sports such as basketball and boxing to momentarily deceive their opponents. Movements like directing the gaze and hands in opposite directions are examples of paint. Shirai claimed that this paint technique also works to repel mosquitoes.

Mosquito. [Image source=Pixabay]

Shirai explained, "Mosquitoes structurally move only up and down and are actually slow-moving creatures," adding, "If you suddenly increase your speed, they cannot keep up."

He further said, "Before entering the house, suddenly speed up at a distance of 3 to 5 meters from the front door, open the door as quickly as possible, and enter the house." This method helps shake off mosquitoes outdoors and prevents them from entering the house.

However, he advised, "It is better to unlock the front door key in advance before entering the house as quickly as possible, then step back from the door and try."

In addition, he explained the period when mosquitoes are most active. Regarding why mosquitoes disappeared during summer, he said, "Mosquitoes start activity when the temperature first exceeds 20 degrees Celsius and reach their peak between 25 and 30 degrees. When a heatwave exceeding 30 degrees continues, they stop activity." It was reported that Japan, like Korea, experienced a heatwave exceeding 30 degrees this summer. This explains why the activity of newly hatched mosquitoes slowed down.

However, as temperatures gradually drop below 30 degrees from late summer, mosquitoes begin to reappear. Shirai emphasized, "The number of mosquito larvae hatching increased due to the increased water from summer rains. Now that the temperature is falling, it is the optimal condition for adult mosquitoes to start bloodsucking."

The 'breeding season' is also an indicator to estimate the mosquito activity period. Generally, mosquitoes are known to lay eggs between July and September, but recently, due to climate change, they briefly breed in May and June, take a rest period, and then enter a second breeding season in September, showing an irregular pattern. Ultimately, mosquitoes remain active until the end of October.

Domestic mosquito activity is likely to show a similar pattern. Last month, a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 34 to 35 degrees nationwide continued, but has recently been gradually calming down. In fact, on the 1st, the heatwave warning in Seoul was lifted after 38 days. On that day, the Korea Meteorological Administration predicted, "Although the daytime heat will persist for a while and the heat will not disappear all at once, temperatures are expected to gradually return to normal levels."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.