The whole continent of America has mosquitoes. Research also shows that in America, there are about 200 different species of mosquitoes. And we all know how difficult life can get if there are mosquitoes in our house, don’t we? Mosquitoes do not just disrupt your life by not letting you sit outside your house and enjoy some time in nature, but also, the mosquitoes are known to be a carrier of life-threatening diseases.
Reasons Why Mosquitoes Bite People
Only a few human beings on this planet can go out and enjoy the outdoors without getting bit by mosquitoes. But why do mosquitoes bite human beings? Well, the simplest answer would be to suck the blood out of you. That is a piece of information that every layman knows, but do you know that only the female mosquitoes bite you and suck your blood? The blood in human beings and other animals has protein that the female mosquitoes use to lay their eggs. It is the protein in human blood that helps female mosquitoes to reproduce and multiply their population rapidly.
When these disease-delivering mosquitoes try to bite you and suck your blood, they transfer some deathly diseases like Zika, Dengue, Malaria, West Nile, etc., into your body.
Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others?
You must have noticed that mosquitoes bite some people more than others. Research has shown that 20% of the population gets bitten by mosquitoes more than others. Experts believe that this is because of their sight and smell.
Here are a few reasons that experts believe could be why that 20% population gets bitten by mosquitoes more –
What you are wearing – Have you noticed that mosquitoes bite you more when you wear black? It is because mosquitoes use their eyes to target their victims and suck blood from their bodies. In the evening or later in the afternoon, mosquitoes search for their victims and attack those wearing dark color apparel like red, black, green, etc.
Your blood type plays a great role – As mentioned earlier, female mosquitoes suck blood for reproduction, and research has known that people with O blood type attract twice as many mosquitoes than people with A blood group type. Research also shows that mosquitoes are attracted to 87% of the population who produce a secretion that indicates their blood type.
Carbon Dioxide – You must have seen that mosquitoes buzz in front of your ears at night and disrupt your sleep. It is because mosquitoes can smell carbon dioxide, and that is also how they target their victims. So the larger the person is, the greater amount of carbon dioxide they will exhale, which makes them attractive to the mosquitoes.
The smell of your sweat – Mosquitoes can smell things, which helps them spot their victim. They do not just smell carbon dioxide but also chemicals like ammonia and lactic acid that your sweat produces. So the more you sweat, the more mosquitoes you attract.
Microbes in your skin – Dermal casting is generally related to microscopic life, and when this mixes with sweat, these create a different fragrance that attracts the mosquitoes. That is exactly why mosquitoes target your ankles and your feet because that is place is a ripe source for bacteria.
Pregnancy – Research also shows that mosquitoes are more attracted to pregnant women because of two reasons. Firstly, pregnant women exhale more carbon dioxide. Secondly, the abdomen of pregnant women is also 0.7 degrees hotter than other humans, and mosquitoes are attracted to warm bodies.
Mosquito Prevention Tips
If you want to enjoy the outdoors, then here are a few things that you must take care of on your property –
- Do not allow any stagnant water near your house.
- Keep the doors and windows closed, especially during dusk and dawn.
- Avoid wearing dark-colored clothes.
- Try making DIY repellent at your use using natural ingredients like oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Keep the surroundings of your house clean.
- Throw the garbage out daily.
- Cover up yourself properly when you are planning to go out and have fun outdoors.
- Hang a mosquito net over the bed before sleeping.
- Use large oscillating fans in your house.
Indeed, mosquitoes cannot destroy the foundation of your house or destroy your property, but it is also true that mosquitoes can make your family fall ill. So, if your life is getting disrupted by mosquitoes, give us a call at Thrive Pest Control, and we will make sure that your house is free from mosquitoes.
