While I was raising my kids, I noticed my son was a “mosquito magnet”. During the summer, he was always covered in mosquito bites and would sometimes react severely to them. Meanwhile, my daughter rarely got bitten by mosquitoes. I recently came across research that shows mosquitoes may prefer some people over others.
Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide (CO2) that humans exhale. Mosquitoes will fly up a CO2 “plume” that a person creates when they breathe and find a host. Other potential factors such as beer, body heat, and your scent might also contribute to making you a “mosquito magnet”. Additionally, a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that if trained, mosquitoes might come to associate the smell of DEET with food and become attracted to it.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should stop using DEET, as it is still one of the most effective ways to repel mosquitoes. Consider reapplying DEET rather than a lot at once.
Other ways to protect yourself from pesky mosquitoes include:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and blouses and light-coloured clothing
- Be aware that early mornings and evenings are times when most mosquitoes bite
- Check your environment and remove objects with standing water (e.g. plastic toys), as these can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes
While being a “mosquito magnet” can be tough, with the proper protection, you can minimize the amount of mosquito bites you get.
p.s. Enjoy this Wilds of Canada cartoon by John Cadiz. We have it on a coaster!
By Diane Alavie, BSc. Phm.
