Why Mosquitos Bite YOU
Have you ever wondered why you are the only one being hunted down by blood sucking mosquitoes, while people around you seem to be suffering no trouble? Is it really because your blood is sweeter? Recent studies show that sweet blood may not exactly be the problem.
Jerry Butler, a PhD professor at the University of Florida reported that “One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes.” However, they are not behind you for your sweet blood. Rather, they are looking for a place to store their eggs as female mosquitoes (male mosquitoes do not bite) require human blood to develop the fertilized eggs. And apparently, they tend to be quite selective. Researchers are not a 100% sure regarding what mosquitoes believe to be their ideal pick. However, Joe Conlon from the American Mosquito Control Association reported that “There’s a tremendous amount of research being conducted on what compounds and odors people exude that might be attractive to mosquitoes.”
About 85% of our vulnerability to mosquito bites is through genetics. Mosquitoes, however, are also attracted to specific body chemicals, especially high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol which can be present on your skin. Just how much steroids or cholesterol are present on your skin’s surface is highly dependable on how efficient your body is at processing these chemicals. Mosquitoes are also highly attracted to people who produce certain acids, such as uric acid, in excess. Other common attractions are movement and heat.
However, the factor that attracts the mosquitoes most to you is a byproduct that every human produces, carbon dioxide. “Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance,” says Conlon. As a result, adults are much more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes than children because their larger bodies produce more carbon dioxide. Pregnant women are also at risk due to the fact they exhale higher amounts of carbon dioxide.
The next time you think about running away from the mosquitoes, you should think twice. The movement and panting will cause an increased production of heat and carbon dioxide which will quickly attract a swarm of female mosquitoes. And if you’ve already fallen prey to a mosquito, then you might want to buy some repellant considering mosquitoes are able to smell flesh from a remarkable distance of 50 meters.
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