[Exclusive Survey] 54% of Termite Damage Concentrated in Rainy Season (April-June) | 51% of Victims Admitted to Having 'No Prior Preventive Measures'

BEST Inc., based in Yokohama, Kanagawa, aims to create a society where people can live with peace of mind by providing optimal information. Through its specialized termite extermination service, 'Shiroari Otasuke Honpo,' the company resolves various termite-related issues. The company conducted an independent survey of people who have experienced termite extermination. The results revealed that 54% of termite damage is concentrated in the rainy season from April to June, and 51% of those who experienced damage had taken 'no measures' before the incident. This release details the reality of termite damage based on the survey and provides a checklist for self-checks before the rainy season. According to the survey, May is the most common month for discovering termite damage, accounting for 23% of the total, followed by June (18%) and April (13%). This concentration is deeply related to the ecology of the 'Yamato-shiroari' (Japanese termite), which accounts for over 90% of residential damage in Japan. These termites engage in 'swarming'—where winged termites fly out in groups to form new nests—between late April and June. Consequently, many people notice damage during this period. Furthermore, the rise in temperature and humidity from the rainy season through summer makes this the most active period for termites. When asked about preventive measures, 51% of respondents said they had 'done nothing in particular.' The top reasons for this lack of action were 'I thought my house was fine' (35%) and 'I had never thought about termite damage' (29%). Because termites erode the interior of wood, it is difficult to confirm the progress of damage from the outside. Misunderstandings like 'it looks fine, so it must be okay' lead to complacency, which can result in significant repair costs. Before the rainy season, the company recommends self-checks such as looking for mud tubes, clearing obstacles around floor vents, checking for leaks in water areas, inspecting for floor squeaks, and looking for fallen wings. Since termite damage is hard to spot from the outside, the habit of 'investigating first' when concerned is essential to protecting your home.