Match.com...The Mosquito Edition

August 9 | By Guest Writer Intern Madeline Mahon

I always laugh when my sister says mosquitoes are more attracted to her than other people. Like she’s some sort of Mosquito Goddess. But after comparing our legs yesterday, I was shocked to see just how much more numerous her bites were. So it got me thinking…is there something more to this mosquito match up?

I’ve heard before than women get bitten more than men, perhaps because their skin is thinner. Maybe men are bitten less because mosquitoes don’t like the smell of their sweat. But other folks think men are bitten more because of their sweat.

Female mosquitoes (males do not bite people) need human blood to develop fertile eggs. And apparently, not just anyone’s will do.

What Really Makes a Mosquito Want YOU

Mosquitoes are attracted to several things. One of them is carbon dioxide. Another is heat.

The more carbon dioxide, body heat and sweat you give off, the easier it is for a mosquito to choose you from a crowd of other attractive humans. As we exhale, we release carbon dioxide (or, in this case, mosquito cologne). Since pregnant women give off more carbon dioxide, they tend to be a mosquito favorite. Also, mosquitoes will typically choose adults over children since bigger people retain more heat.

Other things that tend to pique a mosquito’s interests include:

• High concentrations of cholesterol on your skin’s surface
• Movement (say, swatting, playing badminton or shimmying to your favorite song)
• Excess amounts of lactic or uric acids (which can occur while exercising or from genetics)

Avoiding Dates with Mosquitoes

Developments about what makes some people so attractive to mosquitoes are popping up almost every day. But the important thing to know is how to protect yourself and your environment.

The best way is to wear long sleeves and long pants, even if it is inconvenient in the hot months that mosquitoes prefer. Another good bet is an environmentally friendly bug spray (available in the Nature Store). And of course, you should eliminate any type of standing water source in your yards, since mosquitoes need water to breed and that’s where they’ll mingle.

Best of luck!