The summer months are the favorite time of the year for many people. But, before you get euphoric and excited about it, let’s not forget about a menace that can make the summer period less enjoyable – mosquitoes.
From simple allergic reactions and itchy welts to more serious complications like West Nile virus and Zika virus, these insects can definitely cause a lot of trouble. This is especially true for people who feel like real mosquito magnets.
There are areas where you can find more mosquitoes. But, it seems that even in areas where they are not very common; some people are more interesting for these insects than the others. It turns out that there is a scientific explanation about why mosquitoes prefer certain individuals.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are more than three thousand types of mosquitoes and less than 10% of them want to bite people. On top of that, only female mosquitoes are biting people.
Mosquitoes typically show up when the weather becomes warmer because this is the time of the year when their eggs start hatching. Most people are aware that these insects are fond of water – lakes, ponds, puddles and even small birdbaths.
They are fond of humidity, especially the one found in swamps. Yet, all these facts cannot answer the simple question – why are mosquitoes attracted to some people?
What Makes you a Mosquito Magnet?
We can compare mosquitos’ ability to sense smell to the one found in sharks and mosquitoes’ vision is based on color. This makes it easier to prepare yourself to fight off these pests. Body odor, bacteria, carbon dioxide, clothes, and beer are some of the things that they like.
It turns out that overweight and obese people release a high amount of CO when breathing out and mosquitoes are able to smell this even if they are flying 50 yards away. In many cases, mosquitoes are selecting pregnant women because they release more CO2 too.
If the conditions are right, mosquitoes can easily identify a source of carbon dioxide. Individuals who are involved in physical activities had a beer or break down cholesterol fast, are spreading CO2 in the air. Simple jogging or drinking alcohol boost the metabolism which ultimately increases CO output and attracts mosquitoes. There are cases when your skin pores are attracting these insects.
A slightly increased body temperature and odor can attract or make misquotes go away. Mosquitoes are fond of human bodies that spread specific scents. Uric acid, lactic acid, sweat, and bacteria are their best options, but the specific chemistry of your body is important too.
A musty smell on your body is one way to get all the mosquitoes in the area on your body. However, researchers have discovered that some individuals have a natural smell that makes the mosquitoes go away. This is all part of our genetics. So, a person can stay safe from these insects simply because they smell bad to them.
Can the clothes you use or your movement make you attractive to mosquitoes? It turns out that clothing in white or another color that matches light makes mosquitoes avoid you. However, dark colors including navy blue and black are mosquitoes’ favorites. According to some experts, they are attracted by red color too.
The best mosquito repellents
The good news is that there are many ways to stay safe from mosquitoes. Obviously, you should throw away used and stagnant water and make sure that the lawn is trimmed regularly. Mosquitoes usually dwell on long grass. If you find yourself in an area like this, they will land on your legs, ankles, and feet.
Regular bathing is another way to fight mosquitoes. You should not spend a long time without taking a shower. In this way, you will eliminate sweat, bacteria and other things that attract mosquitoes.
Another good advice is to wear relatively thick clothing because mosquitoes will be unable to penetrate the clothing. Wear clothing in light colors. You can also use an insect repellent that has picaridin or DEET in it or a natural insect repellent based on essential oil. Even mists or lotions can improve protection against mosquitoes.
Don’t forget that mosquitoes are usually active at specific times of the day like sunset and dawn. It’s better to stay indoors with the windows and doors locked and AC running during this time of the day.
If you have to stay outdoors, use fans. Mosquitoes are good fliers but they are not strong enough to resist the power of fans. In addition, use peppermint, citronella or specially designed traps.
Treating mosquito bites at your home
In case you are bitten, you should know that there are many do-it-yourself remedies that you can use to fight itching and swelling. These bites can make people stay up all night.
First of all, you can use ice because it will reduce the swelling and itching. You can also try rubbing some organic apple cider vinegar or tea tree essential oil on the affected area right away.
They can ease itching, swelling, and redness. If you are dealing with itching, you can also try lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oil. Remember to use carrier oil too.
According to many people, oatmeal baths have proven to be effective against itches caused by different things. A tea bag compress can soothe irritation and large welts. Baking soda, honey, and aloe are good too.
The fact is that you will probably have to witness a bite or two this summer, but this is nothing to worry about that. What’s important is to prevent becoming a magnet for mosquitoes. We hope that this article will help you prevent that!
Source: Tip Hero
