Do you feel that mosquitoes single you out to snack on you more than others? Well, you are not entirely alone. A study by Jonathan Day, professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida concluded that female mosquitoes find 20% of the population more delicious than the rest. And yes, it’s always a female mosquito that bites as they need human blood to develop fertile eggs.
The study also went on to list two compelling factors for the mosquitoes to pick out their prey – sight and smell.
Also watch: Breakthrough: mosquitoes laced with bacteria could reduce transmission
Sight
Mosquitoes are highly visual, especially later in the afternoon and after dark, and their first mode of search for humans is through vision. Research in the Journal of Experimental Biology shows that mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours like black, navy blue, brown etc. So, if you are dressed in some of these colours, chances are that you might be a great feast for the mosquitoes.
Smell
Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide from a significant distance and this is the second cue for them to track you down. The more you exhale, the more attractive you become to them. Pregnant women and people with higher metabolic rates produce more carbon dioxide and are more prone to mosquito bites.
To protect yourself from becoming a mosquito’s target, always carry a skin-friendly pest repellent spray. Also, if possible, wear light-coloured clothes with long sleeves. This can limit the area available for mosquitoes to snack on. A good pest control plan can also reduce the menace of mosquitoes buzzing inside your home.
Also watch: Strange but true: mosquitoes are developing a taste for humans!