Mosquitoes are some of the deadliest animals in the world. Many of us only have to worry about them during the summer, since they like the warm weather, but others have to deal with them year-round. There are myths that mosquitos love sugar and that diabetics are more prone to getting bit, but that’s not true. So what attracts these pesky creatures to bite us?
Sugar
Contrary to what people may think, mosquitos get their sugar from plants, just the way butterflies and bees do from flowers. Mosquitos love people who produce certain types of acids, like uric acids. This explains why some people get bit the most during a bbq because high uric acid foods which include meat and processed meats.
Blood Type
While many people may not know their blood type, it might be a good idea to ask your doctor what blood type you have. One study found that in a controlled setting, people with Type O blood were twice as likely to get bit by a mosquito than other types.
Sweat
People who workout outside are big targets for mosquitoes because when people sweat, there are substances that get extracted, such as lactic acid, uric acid, and even ammonia which help mosquitoes become attracted to them.
Carbon Dioxide
Mosquitos can smell you away from up to 50 meters and people who emit large quantities of carbon dioxide are more prone to get bit. This includes large people and even pregnant women who produce 21% more carbon dioxide than others. This explains why small children get bit the least.
How to Avoid Mosquitoes
- Wear light colored clothes like white, they like dark colors like black and blue and bright colors like red
- Spray repellants that include DEET on you
- Stay away from habitats that have water, this is a hotbed for mosquitoes
- Avoid sweating too much, especially when you’re outside
- Don’t stay outside too long during dusk or dawn, which is peak hour for mosquitoes
- Don’t wear perfume, mosquitoes love the floral fragrances too
- Mosquitoes love beer too or people who drink beer as opposed to those that drink water
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