23/06/2024
What makes one person more attractive to mosquitoes than another? Daily mail has interesting answers.
1) How big you are and how you breathe
Mosquitoes track down their prey by scent and one the things they are on the hunt for is carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that we exhale as we breathe and acts as a homing beacon to the insects.
However, quantity of CO2 does seem to matter. Larger people naturally exhale larger quantities of carbon dioxide and it's for this reason experts say they tend to get bitten more.
In the real world this translates to men getting bitten more than women, pregnant women getting munched more than non-pregnant women, and adults being plagued by bites more than children.
Dr Robert Jones, an expert in disease control from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said fatter people may also 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 said.
The same logic is thought to apply to people with an increased rate of breathing like those doing exercise.
2) Your natural scent as well as the bacteria on your body
People's unique aroma is also believed to play a role in mosquito victim selection.
Our natural scent is determined by a combination of our genetics as well as the skin's microbiota, the community of microscopic organisms that live on the surface of our flesh.
3) Choosing your outfit could make you a target
Whilst smell is a mosquito's best sense it's not the only one with studies showing the insects prefer some colours over others.
Experiments have shown they have an overall preference for red, orange, black or cyan.
In contrast, green, blue or purple colours didn't attract the bloodsuckers' attention.
Experts believe mosquitoes have evolved this sense to distinguish between prey and the ambient environment once they've sniffed them out.
Mosquito vision isn't the same as human eyesight and all human skin regardless of pigmentation will appear red/orange to the bugs.
Experts said people might be able to reduce the chance of mosquitoes biting them by avoiding wearing the colours they find attractive.
4) Does your blood type really make you more delicious?
One of the more common beliefs is that your blood type, specifically type O, makes you a more desirable meal to mosquitoes.
However, whilst some studies have found this is the case, other tests have been inconclusive.
Dr Jones said, overall, blood type is probably not an important component of mosquito attraction.
'There does not seem to be strong evidence for blood types affecting how attractive people are to mosquitoes. Other factors are more important,' he said.
5) What about what you eat or drink?
Numerous food and drink are purported online to either attract or repel mosquitoes.
Some, like garlic, are touted under the logic that the strong smell will help mask your own scent, acting as a type of olfactory camouflage.
On the opposite side salty or sweet foods are claimed to have the opposite effect producing compounds that makes us more attractive to mosquitoes.
One study, admittedly only on 14 people, found mosquitos were more likely to land on a person after they'd had a some beer
One study, admittedly only on 14 people, found mosquitos were more likely to land on a person after they'd had a some beer
Even beer might not be a safe option. One study, admittedly only on 14 people, found mosquitos were more likely to land on a person after they'd had a drink.
But actual evidence that this works is mixed. Multiple studies have either failed to show what we eat or drink influences mosquitoes or are very limited in their findings.
Dr Jones said, given the unreliable nature of using food or drink to ward off mosquitoes, people are better off sticking to standard repellents.
'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 said.
'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.'
6) It might, just a little bit, be all in your head
Another factor to consider in the mosquito preference debate is that it might be you that's the problem.
Dr Jones explained that some people have worse reactions to mosquito bites than others.
This can make their bites seem worse by itchier, larger and sorer so even can make it seem like they've been chomped on more than another person with the same number of nibbles.
7) So, what can I do to try and avoid becoming a mosquito buffet?
Tips for avoiding mosquito bites include wearing long sleeved clothing and trousers, using insect repellent, keeping accommodation windows closed or using fly screens, and sleeping under a mosquito net.
People should be especially cautious during the early morning and early evening as these are when mosquitoes are most active. Importantly, avoid stagnant water in your environment and keep your surrounding clean.
