Janice R. Andrews
Many of us have experienced it when traveling with a friend or partner. While the other is practically unharmed, one person becomes fully covered with mosquito bites. Not only may the buzzing attackers cause painful, red, and bumpy bites, but they can also transmit many harmful infections, which is becoming a bigger health problem in Europe. So what makes one human more desirable to these bloodsucking vampires than another? Experts explain what is and isn’t important in relation to this occurrence.
Your Size and Breathing Pattern
By using fragrance, mosquitoes locate their meal, and one of the substances they search for is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a gas that is exhaled when breathing. For the insects, this serves as a homing beacon. The amount of CO2 does, however, matter. Experts claim that because larger persons inherently exhale more carbon dioxide, they are more likely to get bitten.
This means that in the real world, pregnant women get bit more often than non-pregnant women, men get bit more frequently than women, and adults get bit more frequently than kids. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s Dr. Robert Jones, a disease control specialist, pointed out that obese individuals might potentially be targets for this reason.
“Amongst a group of people, the proportion of bites upon an individual has been associated with the proportion of the total surface area or weight contributed by that individual to the group,” he stated. Those who breathe more quickly, such as those who exercise, are assumed to follow the same reasoning.
Your Body’s Natural Scent and Bacteria
It’s also thought that a person’s distinct scent influences mosquitoes’ choice of victims. Our skin’s microbiota, or the population of microscopic organisms that live on its surface, and our genetic makeup combine to determine our natural smell. It is evident from tests in which subjects wear nylon strips to release their musk, which are subsequently hung in front of large groups of mosquitoes, that the insects have a predilection for certain scents.
Similar research on twins has revealed that up to 67% of mosquito attraction may be attributed to genetics. Although there is evidence that a considerable portion of mosquito attraction is caused by one’s own scent, scientists are still figuring out exactly which chemicals humans release into the atmosphere and how to minimize or conceal them.
According to Dr. Jones, “We think that our skin microbiota and genetic makeup influence the volatile molecules our bodies create, which in turn influences our sense of smell. If your body produces a lot of these compounds—some of which have been proved to be appealing to mosquitoes—you might attract more mosquitoes than other people. We are looking for ways to conceal the effects of these substances or change their relative abundances in order to make people less appealing.”
Your Choice of Clothes Could Make You a Target
A mosquito’s best sense is scent, but it’s not the only one. According to studies, certain hues are preferred by insects over others. Studies have revealed that they generally favor the colors red, orange, black, or cyan. Green, blue, or purple, on the other hand, did not draw the attention of the bloodsuckers. Experts surmise that after a mosquito has detected its victim, it has acquired a sensitivity that allows it to discriminate between the target and its surroundings.
Because human skin differs from mosquito skin in terms of pigmentation, all human skin will seem red or orange to mosquitoes. Experts advise against wearing colors that mosquitoes find appealing in order to lessen the likelihood of getting bitten.
Is Your Blood Type Actually a Factor in Your Deliciousness?
One of the most widespread myths is that having type O blood makes you a more appealing meal for mosquitoes. While some research has indicated that this is the case, other tests have produced conflicting results. According to Dr. Jones, blood type is most likely not a significant factor in mosquito attraction overall.
There doesn’t seem to be much proof that a person’s blood type affects how alluring they are to mosquitoes. “There are more significant factors,” he declared.
What About Your Food and Drink Choices?
There are a lot of foods and beverages that are said to either draw mosquitoes or repel them online. Certain foods, like garlic, are recommended with the theory that their potent aroma can help you blend in with the environment—a process known as olfactory camouflage. Conversely, it is asserted that eating sweet or salty foods has the opposite effect, releasing chemicals that increase our attraction to mosquitoes. Beer may not even be a safe choice. According to a study, mosquitoes were more likely to land on a person after they had consumed alcohol—albeit the study only included 14 participants.
Real proof, however, that these works are mixed. Numerous studies have either produced extremely restricted results or failed to demonstrate that our food and drink habits affect mosquito populations. According to Dr. Jones, people would be better off sticking to conventional repellents because using food or drink to keep off mosquitoes is not always effective.
“It is much better to use methods that have been proven through rigorous scientific tests to provide a high level of protection from bites,” he stated. “There are several insect repellent compounds that are effective for many hours against a range of mosquito species and can be safely used by both adults and children.”
It Could, Just a Tiny Bit, Let Your Mind Take Over
In the discussion about mosquito preferences, keep in mind that you can be the issue. According to Dr. Jones, some people react to mosquito bites worse than others. Their bites may appear larger, more painful, and itchier as a result, giving the impression that they have been nibbled on more than someone else who has consumed the same amount of food.
So, How Can I Try to Keep From Getting Bit by a Mosquito Buffet?
Wearing long sleeves and pants, applying insect repellent, closing windows in your lodging or using fly screens, and sleeping under a mosquito net are some ways to prevent mosquito bites. Since mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and early evening, people should exercise extra caution during these times.
