Why do some people attract more mosquito bites? Some people manage to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes seem to prefer some people to others. With recent concerns about insect carrying diseases, like the Zika virus. West Nile virus, and malaria, avoiding mosquito bites is more important than ever. Have you ever walking next to someone while mosquitoes are biting you and noticed that no mosquitoes are attacking them? How can you disguise yourself to prevent mosquito bites?
How does a mosquito identify its targets?
The main way a mosquito identifies its target is by sensing chemical excretions from the body such as carbon dioxide and other excretions. People who excrete more carbon dioxide will attract more mosquitoes. A mosquito can sense carbon dioxide excretion from as far away as 164 feet. Mosquitoes are also drawn to the excretion of ammonia, lactic acid, and uric acid.
Shower often and change your socks to prevent mosquito bites.
Showering off your body excretions helps you to avoid mosquito bites. Also changing socks can help. It’s been proven by research that dirty socks attract mosquitoes.
No alcohol or perfume either
It also appears that mosquitoes are attracted to people who drink alcohol. This may be because of the sugar from the drinks being excreted through the skin. YOu can avoid mosquito bites by not drinking alcohol. This might be the same reason that some people claim that eating bananas causing mosquitoes to become attracted to them. This has not been proven, but this may be also caused by the excreted sugar attracting mosquitoes. Perfume, especially those with strong floral notes are attractive to mosquito.
Decrease your temperature to avoid mosquito bites
In addition to chemicals, mosquitoes are sensitive to a person’s body temperature. That is why you find that mosquitoes are more attracted to you after exertion or exercise.
Blood type plays a role in attraction mosquitoes
People who have Type O blood type have been found to have twice as many mosquito bites as those with Type A blood. Those with Type B blood have less attraction to mosquitoes than type O, but more than Type A. You can’t do much to change your blood type.
Weight and size as factors in attracting mosquitoes
The more body mass you have, the easier it is for mosquitoes to sense you from a long distance, so larger people also are bit more frequently.
Wear light clothing
Light clothing seems to deter mosquitoes from biting somewhat, as they seem to be drawn to lighter color clothes. Blue seems to be a mosquitoes favorite color, according to research. Avoid mosquito bites by wearing lighter colored clothing.
