The new research has its sights set on conquering diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and West Nile Virus, three illnesses carried by mosquitoes in such large numbers that the mosquito is widely considered the deadliest animal in the world, killing roughly 725,000 people annually. Genes could be a driving force behind that death count, which means changing their expression or turning it off altogether could potentially save millions.
Also,there are lots of theories about why mosquitoes attack some people whilst leaving others alone. Larger persons who emit more CO2, beer-drinkers, and sweatier people have all come under scrutiny as supposedly more attractive to these bugs. We now know one thing for sure — that genetics and an individual’s body chemistry are the keys to understanding this fatal attraction. Statistically, only about one in ten people are particularly attractive to mosquitoes.
Zika, West Nile, Malaria, Dengue … the disconcerting catalog of illnesses spread by the flying disease-delivery vehicles known as mosquitoes is an ever expanding thing. And along with vector-borne diseases, mosquitoes and their diabolic hypodermic mouthparts offer no shortage of itchy welts, meanwhile their crazy-making hum can keep the soundest of sleepers swatting at their faces all night.
Mosquitoes are choosy and they want the best for their eggs. We produce chemicals and microbes which make up our unique body odour. They know exactly the right chemical mix and its odour because this accurately represents the blood they want. They can also detect these attractive aromas up to 30 metres away!
What makes up this chemical mix? Just think that we have 100 trillion microbes, which is ten times the number of human cells we possess. We have a unique microbial signature, which is mostly due to genetics. This will determine what type of bacteria we host in our gut and bodies. These microbes are an essential part of our immune system, so washing frequently is not going to do any good. It will certainly not deter the mosquitoes zooming in because their sense of smell is extremely sharp.
Day says that the two most compelling factors of mosquito attraction have to do with sight and smell – which seems obvious, but it’s not a given that the mysteries of mosquitoes would be clear. There are all kinds of wives’ tales about what attracts and repels – eating bananas actually doesn’t lure mosquitoes nor does vitamin B-12 repel them – but scientists think the following factors likely do come into play. Some of these we can't do much about, but anything to help avoid the pests and reduce the use of dicey chemicals is worth the effort.
1.Blood type
It’s all about the blood for mosquitoes; well that and nectar. Adult mosquitoes survive on nectar for nourishment, but females rely on the protein in our blood for the production of eggs. So it’s little surprise that some blood types may be more desirable than others. Research has found, in fact, that people with Type O blood are found to be twice as attractive to mosquitoes than those with Type A blood; Type B people were in the middle. In addition, 85 percent of people produce a secretion that signals what blood type they are; mosquitoes are drawn to those 85 percent more than the non-secretors, regardless of blood type.
It’s all about the blood for mosquitoes; well that and nectar. Adult mosquitoes survive on nectar for nourishment, but females rely on the protein in our blood for the production of eggs. So it’s little surprise that some blood types may be more desirable than others. Research has found, in fact, that people with Type O blood are found to be twice as attractive to mosquitoes than those with Type A blood; Type B people were in the middle. In addition, 85 percent of people produce a secretion that signals what blood type they are; mosquitoes are drawn to those 85 percent more than the non-secretors, regardless of blood type.
2.Gas
Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide up to 160 feet away; so the more one exhales, the more attractive they become. Larger people exhale more. Also to note, since human beings exhale carbon dioxide through the nose and mouth, mosquitoes are attracted to our heads, which explains the whole “mosquitoes buzzing about the ears all night” misery.
Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide up to 160 feet away; so the more one exhales, the more attractive they become. Larger people exhale more. Also to note, since human beings exhale carbon dioxide through the nose and mouth, mosquitoes are attracted to our heads, which explains the whole “mosquitoes buzzing about the ears all night” misery.
3.Heat and sweat
Mosquitoes apparently have a nose for other scents besides carbon dioxide; they can sniff down victims through the lactic acid, uric acid, ammonia and other compounds emitted in sweat. They also like people who run warmer; a hot sweaty human must seem quite delicious to them – couch potatoes, rejoice. Strenuous exercise increases the buildup of lactic acid and heat in your body, Smithsonian points out, while genetic factors “influence the amount of uric acid and other substances naturally emitted by each person, making some people more easily found by mosquitoes than others.”
Mosquitoes apparently have a nose for other scents besides carbon dioxide; they can sniff down victims through the lactic acid, uric acid, ammonia and other compounds emitted in sweat. They also like people who run warmer; a hot sweaty human must seem quite delicious to them – couch potatoes, rejoice. Strenuous exercise increases the buildup of lactic acid and heat in your body, Smithsonian points out, while genetic factors “influence the amount of uric acid and other substances naturally emitted by each person, making some people more easily found by mosquitoes than others.”
4.Lively skin
Some research has shown that the types and amount of bacteria on one’s skin can play a role in brining on the mosquitoes as well. Our dermal casing is naturally teeming with microscopic life, and the whole shebang creates a distinct fragrance. In one study, a group of men were divided into those who were highly attractive to mosquitoes and those who were not. The delicious ones had more of certain microbes on their skin than the unattractive ones, but fewer types – a larger community but less diverse. The bacteria factor could also explain why some mosquitoes are drawn to ankles and feet, an especially ripe source of bacteria.
Some research has shown that the types and amount of bacteria on one’s skin can play a role in brining on the mosquitoes as well. Our dermal casing is naturally teeming with microscopic life, and the whole shebang creates a distinct fragrance. In one study, a group of men were divided into those who were highly attractive to mosquitoes and those who were not. The delicious ones had more of certain microbes on their skin than the unattractive ones, but fewer types – a larger community but less diverse. The bacteria factor could also explain why some mosquitoes are drawn to ankles and feet, an especially ripe source of bacteria.
5.Beer
Who knew mosquitoes had a taste for beer? The little lushes. In one study researchers found that significantly more mosquitoes landed on study participants after drinking a 12-ounce beer than before. The scientists figured that it was due to increased ethanol content in sweat and skin temperature from consuming the brew, but they were unable to find the exact correlation, just that it happened. So nobody knows why, clearly the crafty pests aren't targeting inebriated folks as easy marks, but it does seem to be a thing.
Who knew mosquitoes had a taste for beer? The little lushes. In one study researchers found that significantly more mosquitoes landed on study participants after drinking a 12-ounce beer than before. The scientists figured that it was due to increased ethanol content in sweat and skin temperature from consuming the brew, but they were unable to find the exact correlation, just that it happened. So nobody knows why, clearly the crafty pests aren't targeting inebriated folks as easy marks, but it does seem to be a thing.
6.Gender. Interestingly, only female mosquitoes bite, as the nutritional value of blood helps develop their eggs. They also seem to prefer to bite more men, but women are more badly affected by a bite. Women reportedly get bigger and itchy bites, but men are more likely to be attacked.
7. Clothing colour(Apparel)
As mentioned above, mosquitoes actually use their eyes to target victims. Jay explains that mosquitoes are highly visual, “especially later in the afternoon, and their first mode of search for humans is through vision.” Wearing dark colors (navy, black) and red make you easier to spot, says Jay.
As mentioned above, mosquitoes actually use their eyes to target victims. Jay explains that mosquitoes are highly visual, “especially later in the afternoon, and their first mode of search for humans is through vision.” Wearing dark colors (navy, black) and red make you easier to spot, says Jay.
8.Pregnancy
Women with a bun in the oven are probably those least wanting to attract mosquitoes, but alas, some species are evidently more attracted to pregnant women than women who are not. One study in Africa found that pregnant women are twice as attractive to malaria carrying mosquitoes as non-pregnant women; researchers believe it is due to an increase in carbon dioxide – they found that women in late pregnancy exhaled 21 percent greater volume of breath than non-pregnant women. They also discovered that the abdomens of pregnant women were 1.26°F hotter, adding to the mosquitoes-like-warm-bodies component.
Women with a bun in the oven are probably those least wanting to attract mosquitoes, but alas, some species are evidently more attracted to pregnant women than women who are not. One study in Africa found that pregnant women are twice as attractive to malaria carrying mosquitoes as non-pregnant women; researchers believe it is due to an increase in carbon dioxide – they found that women in late pregnancy exhaled 21 percent greater volume of breath than non-pregnant women. They also discovered that the abdomens of pregnant women were 1.26°F hotter, adding to the mosquitoes-like-warm-bodies component.
9.Natural Repellants
Some researchers have started looking at the reasons why a minority of people seem to rarely attract mosquitoes in the hopes of creating the next generation of insect repellants. Using chromatography to isolate the particular chemicals these people emit, scientists at the UK’s Rothamsted Research lab have found that these natural repellers tend to excrete a handful of substances that mosquitoes don’t seem to find appealing. Eventually, incorporating these molecules into advanced bug spray could make it possible for even a Type O, exercising, pregnant woman in a black shirt to ward off mosquitoes for good.
Some researchers have started looking at the reasons why a minority of people seem to rarely attract mosquitoes in the hopes of creating the next generation of insect repellants. Using chromatography to isolate the particular chemicals these people emit, scientists at the UK’s Rothamsted Research lab have found that these natural repellers tend to excrete a handful of substances that mosquitoes don’t seem to find appealing. Eventually, incorporating these molecules into advanced bug spray could make it possible for even a Type O, exercising, pregnant woman in a black shirt to ward off mosquitoes for good.
10.It runs in the family
Regardless of blood type and other factors, some people are genetically prone to being bitten. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear why and we have no way to modify the mysterious mosquito-attracting gene. Blame it on that great-great-great-great-great grandma!
Regardless of blood type and other factors, some people are genetically prone to being bitten. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear why and we have no way to modify the mysterious mosquito-attracting gene. Blame it on that great-great-great-great-great grandma!
Viruses & Diseases:
Malaria and dengue are not the only ways mosquitoes can affect us. Following are different viruses and illnesses caused by their bites:
Malaria and dengue are not the only ways mosquitoes can affect us. Following are different viruses and illnesses caused by their bites:
1. Chikungunya Virus
This virus is responsible for causing chikungunya infection. The patient will feel joint pain and fever. These symptoms occur two days after the insect bite.
This virus is responsible for causing chikungunya infection. The patient will feel joint pain and fever. These symptoms occur two days after the insect bite.
2. Dengue
It is a tropical disease. Symptom occur three to fourteen days after the bite. Main symptoms are fever, joint pain, headache and rash.
It is a tropical disease. Symptom occur three to fourteen days after the bite. Main symptoms are fever, joint pain, headache and rash.
3. Jamestown Canyon Virus
It is an orthobunyavirus and usually occurs in Canada and United States. This virus causes meningitis and febrile illness.
It is an orthobunyavirus and usually occurs in Canada and United States. This virus causes meningitis and febrile illness.
4. La Crosse Encephalitis
An infected mosquito is the primary carrier of this virus. The severe manifestation of disease can cause encephalitis, coma, seizures and paralysis.
An infected mosquito is the primary carrier of this virus. The severe manifestation of disease can cause encephalitis, coma, seizures and paralysis.
5. Malaria
It is a chronic tropical disease and can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms are vomiting, headache and high fever with shivering.
It is a chronic tropical disease and can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms are vomiting, headache and high fever with shivering.
6. Rift Valley Fever
It usually occurs in domesticated animals but humans can also get this infection. This disease is widely distributed in Arabian Peninsula and sub-Saharan African countries.
It usually occurs in domesticated animals but humans can also get this infection. This disease is widely distributed in Arabian Peninsula and sub-Saharan African countries.
7. Snowshoe Hare Virus
It is a member of California group of arboviruses. The symptoms of the diseases are severe headache, nausea and fever.
It is a member of California group of arboviruses. The symptoms of the diseases are severe headache, nausea and fever.
8. West Nile Fever
West Nile virus is responsible for this infection. However, you can prevent this risk by wearing protective clothing and applying insect repellent.
West Nile virus is responsible for this infection. However, you can prevent this risk by wearing protective clothing and applying insect repellent.
9. Yellow Fever
It is distributed in South America, Africa, the Caribbean and Central America.
It is distributed in South America, Africa, the Caribbean and Central America.
10. Zika Virus
It is also mainly spread due to mosquitoes. It is fatal for pregnant women and can lead to birth defects.
It is also mainly spread due to mosquitoes. It is fatal for pregnant women and can lead to birth defects.
11. Vitamin B1
Studies show that Vitamin B1(thiamine),a water soluble vitamin, is needed for the smooth functioning of the body. It can effectively strengthen your immune system and can help overcome stress.
It is abundant in foods such as cabbage, broccoli, spinach, onions, kale, eggplant, green beans, and summer squash and sunflower seeds.
Studies show that Vitamin B1(thiamine),a water soluble vitamin, is needed for the smooth functioning of the body. It can effectively strengthen your immune system and can help overcome stress.
It is abundant in foods such as cabbage, broccoli, spinach, onions, kale, eggplant, green beans, and summer squash and sunflower seeds.
If the vitamin is in significant amount in your body, it will produce a ‘yeasty’ scent, which will keep the mosquitoes away.
In addition to this, you can make a homemade spray by using just two ingredients, organic apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley.
In addition to this, you can make a homemade spray by using just two ingredients, organic apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley.
How to prepare it?
In a masher, add a handful of parsley and 4oz of organic apple cider vinegar. Mash the ingredients and let it stay for a few hours.
Then strain the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle. Add a drop or two of your favorite scent to have nice aromatic smell.
Spray if all over the body, as it is safe to use it. For continued use, store in a refrigerator.
In a masher, add a handful of parsley and 4oz of organic apple cider vinegar. Mash the ingredients and let it stay for a few hours.
Then strain the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle. Add a drop or two of your favorite scent to have nice aromatic smell.
Spray if all over the body, as it is safe to use it. For continued use, store in a refrigerator.
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