10 Little-Known Traits Why People Attract Mosquitoes (See If You’re On This List)

Mosquitoes are out there and even transmit diseases like yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and zika. These insects are transmitters of more than 200 types of viruses and the ones that kill the most. In addition, they are almost everywhere on the planet and it is difficult to avoid being stung. If this has never happened to you, you probably know those people who, being in a large group in a park, beach or field, are bitten by mosquitoes.

Today the awesome.club it will explain to you why some people are so much more “appetizing” for mosquitoes than others. Are you one of them? We also made a bonus list at the end teaching how to avoid them. Check out.

In the act of breathing, we all breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. This is for the mosquito like a radar of who it can bite. That’s why obese and pregnant people, who exhale this gas more, are the favorites of these animals. The explanation is simple: the result of the inspiration leads the mosquito to believe that there is an animal nearby with great potential to have blood, since breathing indicates life and warm blood is important for its preservation.

The changes in a pregnant woman’s body are not restricted to the increase in body volume. In addition to exhaling more carbon dioxide (as we explained above), she also exhales more lactic acid through sweat and has an increase in body temperature of up to 0.7 degrees Celsius. This combination of factors makes pregnant women the preferred targets of mosquitoes in their search for warm, good quality blood to incubate their eggs.

Lactic acid also comes out a lot through sweat. Thus, anyone who exercises is a potential victim. In addition, breathing at the time of exercise is more intense, and this combination makes the mosquito realize that we are mammals, that we are alive and available to provide the blood it needs.

According to experts, the mosquito has several odor receptors, which helps it identify victims by smell. He is able to smell our odor at a distance of 50 meters, being attracted by uric acid, cholesterol and steroids. But a person who has these high rates is not necessarily a ‘decoy’ of mosquitoes.

Mosquito antennae have neurotransmitters that help them identify their potential victim. As these insects have difficulty with light, they choose people who wear dark colored clothes, as they see better in the dark.

According to experts, some people have something in their DNA that makes mosquitoes find them more appetizing. About 85% of these people have an accelerated metabolism and this attracts insects. Some scholars have even identified that some species of mosquitoes have more preference for children than for adults, and others more for black people than for white people. Understanding that there are about 3,500 species of these insects on the planet, so inevitably you will, at some point, be the chosen one.

It is normal to notice more mosquitoes in the heat. This is due to the ease they have to multiply at that time. As they are insects that need blood and the heat makes people wear less clothes, the possibility of finding a victim is much easier. In addition, they need clean, still water and at least some heat to hatch the eggs. Experts then came to the conclusion that summer is the preferred season for these insects.

Researchers at the Institute of Pest Control Technology in Chiba, Japan, conducted an experiment and found that mosquitoes prefer people with blood type O. In second place in preference are type B, although the other types are definitely not. safe. What attracts these animals is a substance linked to others that defend our body (immunity), but the exact reason is not yet known.

As we have already identified that a radar for mosquitoes is a high body temperature, the ingestion of alcoholic beverages can be attractive precisely because of this “side effect” that alcohol provides. Two other surveys tested alcohol and its attractive effects on the insect through the odor of sweat. In addition, there would be high production of kairomone, a substance that attracts predators and parasites.

The average human temperature should be around 36.5°C. Some factors can cause it to increase, such as excessive practice of physical activity, dehydration, intoxication and use of some psychiatric medications and to control blood pressure. High temperature is an important factor in attracting mosquitoes.

Use repellent on exposed parts — the one containing the Icaridine compound is very efficient and even suitable for pregnant women; Make homemade repellent with a medium glass of alcohol and add a camphor stone. Spray on the body to scare away mosquitoes; Many people suggest eating a clove of raw garlic, as mosquitoes are attracted to the smell. Although there is no scientific proof, it is worth a try; Vitamin B1: just like the garlic tip, it changes the body smell and can scare away these intruders; The citronella candle is an alternative that works well; Thin, long-sleeved, light-colored clothing is best. In addition, today there are also repellent clothes; Nightfall falls is the preferred time for mosquitoes. So try to close the doors and windows as soon as the sun goes down; Use some accessories such as an electric paddle, window and door screens, mosquito killer lamps and electrical appliances, among others; Grow plants near windows and doors that have a strong smell and can scare away insects. Among them are basil, catnip, lavender, rosemary, pennyroyal and chrysanthemum.

Did you find out whether or not you are a ‘decoy’ for mosquitoes? Did you like the tips to keep them away? Do you have any other tips that you already knew and would like to share with us? Comment.