(Newswire.net — October 18, 2018) — If you are living in an area with a lot of mosquitoes, then it’s not difficult to know that some people might attract more mosquitoes than the others. Indeed, many studies have proved that these insects can detect humans from a distance of 120 feet. To protect yourself and family against these blood-sucking creatures, Preventive Pest Control states that it is essential to keep in mind 5 following things that attract mosquitoes.
1. Carbon Dioxide From the Breath
The most common way that most mosquitoes use to locate animals and humans is to sense carbon dioxide released from the breath. Though the amount of CO in one’s breath is only 4%, they can detect this chemical from a relatively large distance of up to 150 feet or 45 meters. That’s why carbon dioxide is often considered as a mid to long-range sensing method for these insects.
2. Dark Clothing
Even mosquitoes often find their victim by using scent, vision can also be used by a few breeds to locate humans. This might sound weird, but dark clothing might attract more mosquito than light clothes. Wearing black blue jeans and a T-shirt, for example, can make you much more desirable to a female mosquito than when you choose a white-colored unit. In general, if you want to stay away from these insects, it is advisable to avoid clothes in red, dark green, dark blue, and black tones.
3. Lactic Acid and Uric Acid
In addition to carbon dioxide, lactic acid and uric acid are other substances from our body which can attract mosquitos. They are mainly released from the skin when we do exercises and sweat. The more you move and exercise, the more acid will be released from your skin. Also, lactic acid can be produced if we eat high-potassium or salty foods. Keep in mind that the release amount would vary a lot between different people, meaning that some will attract more mosquitoes than the others.
To lower the lactic acid level produced by our body, it is advisable to take a shower with soap after a training session and dry the skin thoroughly before going outside. Also, avoid eating any foods that are salty and contain lots of potassium like snacks.
4. Skincare Products and Fragrances
Most types of fragrance are attractive to mosquitos, particularly ones which contain aroma of fruits or flowers. These include fragrant lotions, shampoos, sunscreens, perfumes, fabric softeners, washing powders, and others. Also, there are a few skincare products that contain lactic acid, thus attracting a large amount of blood-sucking insects. So if you want to avoid these insects when going outside, make sure to avoid using these products.
5. Movement
Mosquitos might detect their victim with different senses, and one of these is movement. They would discover a minor change in the light waves of any object closer to them easily, so the movement of animals and humans around might attract them. However, this method isn’t the primary way that most mosquitoes use. Instead, they usually find a victim by sensing the released carbon dioxide, body smells, and other products that you use every day.
There are many things that can determine whether you’ll be more likely to get bitten by a mosquito or not. That’s why it’s important to always keep in mind the things that attract mosquitoes to keep yourself safe.