Prevention & Recovery
This Is Why Mosquitoes Love Some People More Than Others
Photography, Lucas Van Oort, Unsplash.com
Prevention & Recovery
This Is Why Mosquitoes Love Some People More Than Others
Ever wonder why you're the star attraction for mosquitoes at every backyard barbecue while your friends remain blissfully bite-free?
From your body's natural scent to your choice of clothing, there’s tons of fascinating science behind what makes you a mosquito magnet—and how you can turn the tables and keep those bugs at bay. Get ready to be the life of the party, without the itchy souvenirs!
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
The first thing to understand is that biting is part of the mosquito's reproductive cycle, and only female mosquitoes bite humans. "When female mosquitoes bite us, they use the proteins in our blood to nourish their eggs," explains André-Philippe Drapeau-Picard, entomological information officer at the Insectarium de Montréal.
How Do Mosquitoes Find Us?
Mosquitoes primarily use their sense of smell to detect the carbon dioxide (CO²) we emit. They also rely on their vision and ability to detect heat. The bite is the result of a "brilliantly orchestrated" hunt, according to Drapeau-Picard.
"Mosquitoes can smell the CO² we emit from as far as 60 metres away. They follow this scent, and when they get within about 10 metres, they can see us, identifying us as a target. Once they are within about 50 centimetres, they are drawn to parts of the body with a high blood supply, which are particularly warm."
Why Do Some People Get Bitten More Than Others?
Mosquitoes are attracted to heat and CO², so individuals with a faster metabolism, who sweat more and breathe harder, are more likely to attract them. People with higher body temperatures, such as pregnant women, are also more likely to be targeted.
A study published on May 19 in the journal Current Biology by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute revealed that some mosquitoes are drawn specifically to the oily secretions that moisturize and protect our skin from microbes. However, this mixture of substances varies from person to person, and scientists are still investigating which specific components attract mosquitoes the most.
Interestingly, one participant in the study who attracted a few mosquitoes emitted a lot of eucalyptol, a substance found in several plants. Researchers suggest that our diet might influence our attractiveness to mosquitoes, a potential area for future research.
Tips to Avoid Attracting Mosquitoes
If you want to avoid mosquito bites during your next barbecue or camping trip, André-Philippe Drapeau-Picard offers some advice:
- Use a Fan: "When dining outdoors, a fan can be very effective because mosquitoes are weak fliers, and the wind can keep them away," he says.
- Wear Light-Coloured Clothing: Dark clothing retains heat and can make you sweat more, so opting for light-coloured clothes can be helpful.
- Stand Near Smoke: Smoke can confuse the signals mosquitoes use to locate us, such as our scent. "Biologists working in northern Quebec, where there are many flies, often light a cigarette nearby to get a break from the mosquitoes, even if they don’t smoke," Drapeau-Picard notes.
- Use Insect Repellents and Essential Oils: Certain repellents and essential oils are also effective in preventing mosquito bites.
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