In summer, mosquitoes run rampant and we may find mosquitoes are especially drawn to a certain group of people, representing around 20 percent of the total population. Rumor has it that mosquitoes prefer to bite people with tender skin and Type O blood over the others.
In fact, there is no evidence that mosquitoes can distinguish blood types.
So, what kinds of people are more attractive to mosquitoes?
(File photo: Nanfang Daily)
People exhaling more carbon dioxide
Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide exhaled by the human body. They detect odors by two pairs of olfactory organs: the antennae and the maxillary palp, according to Stop the Biting: Targeting a Mosquito's Sense of Smell.
Although mosquitoes are usually less than 1 centimeter long, their search distance can reach around 60 kilometers. Within this range, people who emit more carbon dioxide, which is a strong "signal" for mosquitoes, are more likely to be their targets.
People with a high metabolic rate and more sweat
The perspiration excreted by the human body volatilizes in the air, which is another major "signal" for mosquitoes to forage. As people with more sweat have higher levels of lactic acid in their blood, they are more likely to be "favored" by mosquitoes. Furthermore, the antennae of mosquitoes are very sensitive to temperature changes. The heat emitted by humans is another big temptation for them.
As mosquitoes prefer people with a fast metabolism, children are vulnerable to mosquito bites, while the elderly are not. Pregnant women, with higher basal body temperature, exhale 21% more CO2 than their non-pregnant counterparts, attracting more mosquitoes.
People wearing makeup
Perfumes containing stearic acid, hair sprays, face creams, and other cosmetics with floral fragrance are very attractive to mosquitoes. After applying them, people are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes. However, there are also some odors that mosquitoes dislike, such as the smell of bay leaves, oil from Lemongrass, and garlic. Those smells to mosquitoes are what durian is to some people.
People wearing dark clothes
Mosquitoes are fond of darker colors and prefer to forage in low light. Thus, we often wake up in the morning to find lumps all over our skin.
Dark clothes reflect lower light and have a strong ability to absorb heat, compared with other colors, people in black are the first target for mosquitoes, followed by blue, red, green, and so on. What they like least is white. By the same token, mosquitoes prefer to bite people with darker or redder skin.
Tips to prevent mosquito bites:
1. Take a shower as soon as possible after a workout.
2. Eat more vegetables containing carotene, which mosquitoes hate. If you like food of strong flavors, garlic is also a good choice to repel them.
3. Wear light-colored clothes because they don't absorb heat or attract mosquitoes.
4. Grow some indoor plants that will decorate your home and repel mosquitoes, such as jasmine, mint, and lavender.
Author | Hannah, Krystal (intern)
Editor | Wing, Olivia, Will, Jerry
Source | WeChat account of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
