What is your experience with mosquitoes? Ever noticed how some people seem to get bitten by them more often than others? It’s likely that people who are affected by these unfortunate situations are asking themselves: “Why am I always getting mosquito bites?”
It’s a lot more complicated than you ever imagined. Various studies suggest that certain people do seem to get bitten by mosquitoes more often than others for a variety of reasons from all over the world. A laboratory study has revealed that a few percent of the population gets bitten more frequently than others in terms of lab studies.
Let’s look at a few facts about mosquitoes to get a better understanding of why some people are susceptible to getting bitten by them so often.
- The only mosquitoes that bite people are those that lay fertile eggs since mosquitoes require blood to develop their eggs.
- Female mosquitoes are also found to have proteins in their heads and antennae that have the ability to latch onto certain chemical markers in humans.
- These markers are detectable by mosquitoes from 115 feet away as part of our natural processes.
Various factors seem to affect whether certain people are more likely to get bit by mosquitoes than others.
Blood Type
According to a study conducted in the Journal of Medical Entomology, mosquitoes land two to four times more frequently on people with Type O blood than on people with Type A blood. Typ B blood is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, so if you have Type B blood then you fall along the middle. It is also known that 85 percent of the population releases a chemical signal indicating the type of blood he or she has.
Carbon Dioxide
The female mosquito can detect carbon dioxide emitted from the human breath up to 115 feet away with the help of an organ called the maxillary palp (as mentioned above). The general rule of thumb seems to be that those who exhale more of this gas (which is often bigger people) are more likely to attract mosquitoes.
Heat and Sweat
The mosquito seems to have a nose for other scents as well as lactic acid, uric acid, and other compounds emitted by sweat, just like humans. They also prefer bodies that are warm because they are more comfortable with them. The body ends up producing more lactic acid as a result of exercise, resulting in sweaty, warm bodies that are almost impossible to resist mosquito bites. A 50% increase in mosquito bites can be attributed to the fact that people are moving around more.
Skin Bacteria
Mosquitoes may be attracted to human skin if it has a particular type of bacteria and a certain quantity of bacteria. There is a recent study that concluded that certain types of bacteria contribute to the appearance of attractive skin. Ankles and feet are probably attracted by mosquitoes since these are areas that often contain highly active bacterial colonies and possess an unpleasant odor.
Clothing
In order to find food sources, this creature relies on the use of its eyes and sense of smell, especially in the late afternoon, when it is at its most active. There are certain colors that make you easier to locate if you wear them, such as black, navy blue, and red. In studies, it has been shown that darker shades and darker fabrics tend to attract mosquitoes more than lighter ones, which is reflected by their lower numbers.
Pregnancy
In recent studies, it has been demonstrated that pregnant women in the late stages of pregnancy (28 weeks and beyond) are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes than non-pregnant women. According to studies, pregnant women can have a breathing pattern that expels about 21 percent more carbon dioxide than they do when they are not pregnant.
Genetics
In some studies, it has been suggested that genetic factors may affect whether or not you get bitten by mosquitoes. Some people are naturally able to repel mosquitoes by a gene-mediated mechanism when it comes to repelling them, according to a study at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
How to Help Prevent Mosquito Bites
It is common for people to be bitten by mosquitoes that leave itchy bites, but they can also carry pathogens that could lead to diseases.
In order to prevent mosquito bites, long sleeves and pants are likely to be the most effective methods, although they may not be the most comfortable in the summer. Depending on the level of protection you are looking for, you may want to opt for a repellent that contains DEET, or another active ingredient that has been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Additionally, you can hire a professional pest control service to evaluate your situation and develop a control plan that will help to prevent mosquito bites.
Mosquito Misting System Installation
It is important to note that the Bug Guys offer mosquito misting systems for the purpose of preventing mosquitoes from breeding in San Angelo. You can contact us now if you’d like to receive a free quote on installing mosquito prevention misters throughout your home. The mosquito misting systems that our licensed pest control agents install can help to prevent you from being bitten by mosquitoes and you will be able to enjoy the outdoors without being bitten by them. Our locally-owned and operated business has been helping the San Angelo community with mosquito prevention for many years now, and we are proud of our commitment to that community.
Mosquito Mister Types
In addition, our technicians can explain the three basic types of mosquito misters:
- Misters – Three to four minutes are spent spraying an atomized mist across a target area. The combination of water and mosquito repellent creates a barrier that mosquitoes cannot detect. It covers an area of up to 4,000 square feet.
- Clearer – Insects such as mosquitoes and flies and gnats are killed by the mosquito clearer mister. The mist will have an invisible barrier that will block insects from contacting it. Mosquitoes in your porch, garden, and lawn are quickly eliminated with this mosquito mister.
- Controller – Controlling mosquitoes can mean setting up sprays for specific times, intervals, or zones. The misting controller has been designed with long-term use in mind. The area will be insect-free after six hours of using a mosquito controller.
When it comes to preparing for mosquito season, The Bug Guys can assist you. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.