How to be Unattractive to Mosquitoes
Some people are unlucky enough to be bitten by mosquitoes more than others. If you’re one of the unfortunate ones, there are a number of reasons why these pesky, disease spreading pests are more attracted to you than someone else sat right next to you. So what can you do to make yourself unattractive to mosquitoes?
What are mosquitoes attracted to?
There are a few things that tantalise a mosquitoes tastebuds. One of those is carbon dioxide, so if you like to exercise a lot then you might want to make sure you wear adequate repellent. As you exercise you of course breath heavier and therefore produce more CO2. Mosquitoes are going to find you appetising. So if you are going to all that effort to live a healthy lifestyle with exercise, then don’t waste it by exposing yourself, unprotected, to mosquitoes.
If you are exercising you’re going to sweat!
Yes, and this makes you even more of a target. Studies show that mosquitoes love a bit of perspiration too.
How Mosquitoes Sniff Out Your Sweat
Lactic acid was identified decades ago as one of the important signals in human sweat for drawing mosquitoes. But until now, it was not clear how mosquitoes perceived it.
Of course, you don’t need to exercise to produce sweat. Going about your everyday life can be enough to cause perspiration.
Do mosquitoes like you because of what you eat?
It’s been known that mosquitoes like beer! Not directly of course, but through your bloodstream. So if you’re a beer drinker then you might want to take heed. Rich foods that are high in potassium or salt are also appetising to them, so those bananas and avocados may taste delicious to you, but they do to a mosquito too!
What about what you wear?
Believe it or not, dark clothes or anything that’s really bright will draw attention to a mosquito. So you want to make sure you’re in light colours like khaki or beige or even white. You also want to make sure that your skin isn’t exposed without a good mosquito repellent.
What should you do to be unattractive to mosquitoes?
As we mentioned earlier. Wearing repellent at all times will be a great help in keeping these tiny beasts at bay. If you want to spend time outside in your yard, then you might want to consider a yard spray too. After all, it’s that time of year when we are starting to think about dining alfresco. It would be nice to do it without the ‘buzz’!
A fan of a nice cup of tea, a vintage camera, books, music, writing and meeting new and exciting people developing their own ventures.
- Mosquitoes: Chickens to the Rescue! - January 6, 2022
- Meat Allergy from Tick Bite - January 4, 2022
- West Nile Virus Will Spread Come Rain or Shine - January 2, 2022