You find yourself bitten by the mosquitoes all around your body at the garden party and much to your bafflement others are merrily devouring their food, while you find it difficult even to hold your plate amidst their constant pricking. It is as if the mosquitoes are only after you. “Do mosquitoes choose their prey? Do they love to feast on some particular human beings?” You wonder.

However unbelievable it might seem to be, it is, in fact true. “Mosquitoes select their targets,” the experts opine. John Butler, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Florida says that mosquitoes have affinity for only around 10% of people. It is also a fact that the male mosquitoes do not bite human beings. It is only the female mosquitoes that bite and they do not suck blood only for their food. The blood is necessary for the development of their eggs and as the researches point out, only the blood of some particular group of people that works for them.

Picture of mosquito.

Mosquito’s preference

Notwithstanding all the researches done so far, it has not yet been established as to who or what kind of flesh the mosquitoes prefer to feast on. Joe Conlon, PhD, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association says, “Even though a lot of researches are being carried out to ascertain the different compounds or body odor that attract mosquitoes, still any conclusive evidences are yet to be achieved.” As many as 400 different compounds need to be examined in this regard, which is a highly cumbersome job.

Researchers have established that the hereditary factor constitute a significant role (a staggering 85%) in making us prone to mosquito bites. They have also picked out certain chemicals that also attract the mosquitoes, when present in excess amount on the surface of the skin.

“If there is high amount of steroids or cholesterol on the surface of the skin, then chances are that mosquitoes would get attracted. But people having a high level of total cholesterol are not exactly at a risk of mosquito bites. It is the byproducts produced during the formation of the cholesterol on the surface of the skin, are responsible for it.” Butler explains.

John Edman, PhD, spokesman for the Entomological Society of America believe that production of some acids like uric acid by the body in high amount, can also lead to mosquito bites as they get attracted by the smell of the acids.

You need not have to be in the close proximity of the mosquitoes to attract them. Mosquitoes have the inherent capacity to smell from a distance of up to 50 meters. Hence, if your body emit high amount of carbon dioxide, a smell that attract the mosquitoes, you are a potential victim of mosquito bites.

“The mosquitoes get attracted to all types of carbon dioxide emission.” Conlon reveals. Larger people emit higher amount of carbon dioxide. Hence, adults are more susceptible to mosquito bites than the children. Similarly, pregnant women are also more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes as they produce more than average amount of carbon dioxide. Apart from the emission of carbon dioxide, mosquitoes are also attracted by heat and movement.

Hence, during your outdoor congregation, it is better to be at a chaise lounge in stead of playing a game of volleyball. The reason for this is that the mosquitoes would be attracted by your movements during the play. Your constant heavy breathing would also emit high amount of carbon dioxide, which would make them swarm around you. That apart, they have a greater affinity for the lactic acid coming out with your swear.

Mosquito’s place of habitation

Although you may be free from any body chemicals that attract the mosquitoes, your surroundings may be responsible for it. Many of the areas with a high density of mosquito population are located along the coastal areas. Even places away from the coasts are also not free from them. “They can travel a distance of up to 40 miles for their feast!” Colon explains further.

Although all types of water bodies are the places of their breeding, they have a special affinity for stagnant water. Hence, in case you desire to have an enchanting water body inside your premises, you should go for a brook or a small fountain of water, rather than a pond. “Mosquitoes tend to congregate near the water bodies even in places with high degree of desertification,” Colon tells.

Incidentally, mosquitoes also dwell in mountainous terrain. “Although they find it difficult to sustain below a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, mosquitoes have been spotted in the Himalayas,” says Colon.

But places having a cold climate like the Alaska are mostly free from them barring a short period of three weeks in the months of July and August. The Arctic National Refuge is a highly mosquito-infested area apart from the Florida Everglades, which tops the list.

The mosquitoes have been there for around 170 million years and this is a testimony to their ability to adapt to different conditions. With the presence of more than 175 types of different species, it can be safely said that they would continue to appear during each and every summer. The only thing you can do is to minimize their onslaught.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2009


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