Mosquitoes Are Picky Eaters. Why They Bite Us And What Can We Do About It? | Healthy Living slideshows | Well Being center

Only Female Mosquitoes Can Bite

Yes, that is true! We are not sure whether or not this has to do with the ever going “Male/female” competition in all species and races, but we surely know that there has to be a reason why only female mosquitoes are the bloodsucking type. An explanation for this naturally occurring phenomenon is the fact that female mosquitoes are the ones producing the eggs, and this requires them to have enough proteins, hence the need for a blood meal. Additionally, it could be useful to note that when they are not in their reproductive stage, they simply indulge in a nectar mal, just like the male mosquitoes. So, we can say that the mosquitoes that bite us are female mosquitoes in the reproductive stage.

Sources & Links

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Photo courtesy of calafellvalo by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/calafellvalo/9421316117/
www.webmd.com/allergies/features/are-you-mosquito-magnet
http://insects.about.com/od/flies/a/10-facts-about-mosquitoes.htm
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2013/07/why-do-mosquitoes-bite-some-people-more-than-others/
http://www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/

It's In Our Blood Type

Our body acts as a magnet towards mosquitoes, and this magnetism is influenced by our blood type! In other words, your genetics could predispose you to mosquito bites! In fact, based on current research results, our susceptibility to mosquito bites is attributable to our genetic individuality, at least at 85%, and this includes our blood group types. Does that mean that some people are actually tastier to mosquitoes than others? Yes, probably! In fact, type O blood group tends to make a more succulent meal to mosquitoes compared to other blood groups, and our blood groups can be identified from the chemical we secrete in our sweat!

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Photo courtesy of biologycorner by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/40964293@N07/4366619094/
insects.about.com/od/flies/a/10-facts-about-mosquitoes.htm

Mosquitoes Can Detect Carbon Dioxide From Our Breath From 75 Feet Away

This also goes hand in hand with the fact that mosquitoes prefer us when we are sweaty. Carbon Dioxide is a very strong signal for mosquitoes, an alert that a potential blood meal is near. We release CO2 from our lungs when we exhale, and because we breathe faster after exercise, we release CO2 at more regular intervals, which makes us more susceptible to mosquito bites. Additionally, when we sleep, we release a lot of CO2 as the body is in a cleansing and purifying mode. This (in addition to the fact that we are peaceful asleep) is another reason why mosquitoes would tend to bite us at night.

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1. …And That Is Why They Like Us Sweaty And Hot!

This is starting to make sense, isn’t it? Mosquitoes are most attracted to us when we are sweaty for several reasons. First, from the chemicals that we release in our sweat, they can tell what is our blood group type, and enjoy the meal, especially if we are a Group O. Secondly, after exercising and sweating, the blood is definitely warmer, which surely makes their meal more enjoyable (what would you prefer: warm or cold soup?) Thirdly, it is easier for mosquitoes to bite us when we are not aware of it. And with a layer of sweat covering our skin, we are very unlikely to feel the prick of a mosquito bite, which makes it even easier for them.

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Photo courtesy of Ryan Hyde by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/breatheindigital/4668093768/
www.kshb.com/dpp/news/health/your-blood-type-could-determine-if-youll-get-more-mosquito-bites

Bacteria living on our skin attract the mosquitos

It has also been stipulated that the composition of our skin flora determines our susceptibility to mosquitoes. This actually due to the fact that the type of bacteria present on our skin also influence our general body scent. Normally, when our sweat is secreted at the surface of the skin, it is odorless. Then, the microorganisms on our skin metabolize the sweat and through the release of CO2 and other gases and chemicals, the sweat acquires a new odor. This is how the type of bacteria on our skin (as well as our individualized genetic programs) play a role in how attractive we seem to mosquitoes.

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Photo courtesy of PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/photonquantique/4572435329/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/science/bacteria-on-skin-affects-attractiveness-to-mosquitoes-170809.html http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0028991

Mosquitoes Love Beer

You love beer, and mosquitoes love beer drinkers! Joseph Conlon, a medical entomologist and technical advisor at the American Mosquito Control Association explained that this could be due to the fact that following a cold beer treat, we release more CO2 and other gases from our breath, which acts as sensors for mosquitoes that a blood meal is coming up. Additionally, he formulated that our skin is a little warmer after a cold beer, which also acts as another susceptibility factor. With his research performed on 25 volunteers and 2,500 Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes from Burkina Faso, he came up to the conclusion that beer drinkers were at a 15% increased risk for mosquito bites compared to the general population.

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Photo courtesy of J.K. Califf by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/emerycophoto/2738850118/
www.joe.ie/travel/travel-2/study-mosquitoes-love-beer-drinkers/

Color of our clothes

Even though our strong body scents are probably the most important factor in determining our susceptibility to mosquito bites, the color of our clothes plays a role too. It has been proven that mosquitoes tend to prefer darker colors, compared to their light and bright counterparts. This is probably due to the fact that darker colors reflect less light and absorb more, and so mosquitoes are less likely to be seen during their blood feed. Also, unlike us humans, mosquitoes are thought to see darker objects more easily than lighter ones. This could also explain while they are more active in the night or in dark settings. So whenever you are spending a day outdoors, opt for more colorful clothing items!

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Photo courtesy of Motivi by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/motivifashion/5669397307/
www.mosquitnoband.com/what-color-clothes-repel-mosquitoes/

How To Treat Mosquitoes Bites

Generally, people only notice a mosquito bite after the biting has occurred. it commonly presents as a red bump on the skin with minimal itching, which enlarges in size if scratched. This is due to the slight allergic reaction that is triggered in the body by the entry of the mosquito’s saliva. Our immune system releases allergic mediators IgE (Immunoglobulin E), Histamine, etc. responsible for the formation of the bump. Mosquito bites bumps usually go away on their own. However, if the itching becomes unbearable, you could apply some Aloe Vera gel or concoction on the bump(s) to soothe the area. You could also apply anti-itch creams as a very good alternative.

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Photo courtesy of Ryan Hyde by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/breatheindigital/4839051984/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito

Why Are Mosquitoes So Dangerous?

If getting bitten by a mosquito only meant having a temporary red and itchy bump on your skin that would eventually go away, that would have been okay for most of us. But it’s not, because mosquitoes are not just bloodsuckers, they are also carriers of pathogens responsible for potentially fatal diseases. Yellow fever and malaria are a great example of diseases that use mosquitoes as vectors. In endemic areas (India and some parts of Africa), the spread of malaria and yellow fever has reached non-reassuring proportions, to the point where public health measures need to be taken to stop the spread of those diseases. This is why they tend to organize sanitation campaigns to clean neighborhoods and destroy mosquito nests (untidy pools of water around houses, sewage, etc.) Diseases spread by mosquitoes can be detrimental to life, so when traveling to endemic areas, inquire and take the appropriate safety measures (vaccinations, sleeping under mosquito nets, etc.)

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Preventing Mosquito Bites

Prevention has always and will surely always be better than cure. You might not be able to change your genetic program to decrease your susceptibility to mosquito bites, but what you can surely do is limit the entry of mosquitoes in your house. This starts by cleaning up your neighborhood. Cut the growing grass, eliminate the pools of water and small sewage around your house. During the rainy season, ensure that you attach mosquito nets to your open windows to decrease entry. And in your bedroom, make sure you and your kids have a mosquito net on top of the bed. Spay insecticide in every room and let the smell diffuse. When going for outdoor activities, carry along a mosquito spray for the body.