Ah, mosquitoes, what real killjoys!
We shiver just thinking about all the horrible itching they inflict on us...
…Zika virus, West Nile virus, itchy red blisters or allergic reactions.
If you attract mosquitoes, you're probably wondering why these little vampires are always after YOU (and your skin)!
Of the more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes, only 200 species are known to bite humans. Besides, only female mosquitoes bite.
Mosquitoes begin to appear as soon as temperatures rise and their eggs are about to hatch.
What you probably already knew is that they love water:ponds, ponds, lakes, puddles and even your beautiful birdbath at the bottom of the garden.
As a rule, they also appreciate humidity, such as that found in moist places or swampy areas.
But then what makes some people attract mosquitoes and others not?
Mosquitoes have a powerful sense of smell , comparable to that of sharks. We also know that their vision is mainly based on colors.
With that in mind, here are the main factors that make you an appetizing snack for mosquitoes:
1. Your breathing (the CO2 you release when breathing).
2. Your size.
3. Your clothes.
4. Your perspiration.
5. Your body odor.
6. You wear perfume.
7. It's written in your genes.
8. You drink beer.
9. You are pregnant.
10. You play sports.
Taller people emit more carbon dioxide when they exhale. However, thanks to their keen sense of smell, mosquitoes can smell our breath up to 50 m away. Ouch!
And in some areas, mosquitoes prefer to bite pregnant women, because they too produce more CO2.
In fact, mosquitoes don't have to look far to find carbon dioxide! Humans abound in CO2 when certain conditions are met.
In particular, people who play sports, who have just had a beer or who have a high metabolic rate emit much more CO2.
This is because both alcohol and jogging increase your metabolism, which in turn increases your carbon dioxide production. Result:you become a delicacy for mosquitoes!
But that's not all. A warm, smelly body can also be an ideal target for mosquitoes. This is because your natural body odor can attract mosquitoes. But, depending on your genes, turns out she can also push them back .
These insects love bodies that secrete certain types of odors onto the surface of the skin — much like an apple pie straight out of the oven.
As a general rule, mosquitoes are attracted to lactic acid (found in milk, wine, some fruits and vegetables, and in muscle), uric acid (found in blood and urine) and also by perspiration. But your own genes also play their part...
In fact, walking around smelling strong odors is like an open invitation to mosquito bites.
On the other hand, scientists have discovered something very surprising. Their studies show that some people have body odor that repels mosquitoes.
And there, nothing to do, because it is a 100% genetic factor. So if your girlfriend is spared, it's because her smell is simply not attractive to a mosquito!
Clothing that blends in with light is known to repel mosquitoes . Conversely, dark clothes (black, blue or red) tend to attract them . Similarly, moving targets attract the attention of mosquitoes.
Fortunately, there are plenty of tricks to keeping mosquitoes at bay. Of course, the first thing to do is to get rid of any sources of standing water around the house.
Also remember to mow your lawn regularly. Indeed, few people know that mosquitoes like to hang out on long blades of grass. This is a great place to do a surprise attack on your feet, ankles and legs.
Also avoid keeping the smell of perspiration on your skin by taking regular showers. This will eliminate bacteria, sweat and any other natural odor that attracts mosquitoes.
Wear thick fabric clothes, as mosquitoes can bite through thin fabrics made of synthetic fibers, such as spandex.
Also try to wear bright clothes. To protect your skin, use mosquito repellents made from natural products, such as essential oil of lemon, lemongrass or eucalyptus.
And don't forget that you can make effective homemade mosquito repellent with this recipe.
On the other hand, if you go to a country affected by malaria, you will have to get down to business by using high protection vaporizers like these. Not great for the skin, but at least you're not taking any risks...
Another important thing to remember is that mosquitoes are much more active at dawn and dusk.
During these times, stay indoors and turn on your fan to keep mosquitoes away. Similarly, use the fan trick when outdoors.
It's super effective because the mosquitoes are so light they will have a hard time flying against the blowing of the fans.
And for when you are literally overrun, use this super effective mosquito trap.
If you've been bitten by a mosquito, there are dozens of home remedies to quickly relieve itching. Here is the list of these remedies here.
Ice cubes can help reduce swelling and also relieve itching. Otherwise, our 2 favorite remedies are to rub the affected area, immediately, with tea tree essential oil or with apple cider vinegar.
These 2 ingredients work wonders for relieving redness, swelling and itching.
You can also use certain essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus or mint) mixed with a carrier oil.
To neutralize itching of all types, oatmeal baths are a well-known home remedy.
Another ancient remedy is to apply tea bags as compresses directly to the bites to reduce larger swelling and allergic reactions.
Other natural treatments that work well are aloe vera, honey, and a paste of water and baking soda.
With all these tips and remedies, you are now ready to deal with mosquitoes! No more barbecues with friends and spoiled romantic sunsets :-)
