Mosquitoes find you more attractive when you…
Work up a sweat.
You think mosquitoes drawn by the aroma of your “sweet blood,” but it’s really the carbon dioxide you exhale that you more attractive. The harder you breathe, the more CO2 you emit, so you’re especially attractive after a jog.
Hate getting bitten up – don’t we all!
Blame the lady mosquitoes for bites. Male mosquitoes do not eat human blood: They get all their nutrition from plant nectar. Females need your blood, which contains a protein which helps egg development. After a blood meal, females can lay anywhere from 100 to 400 eggs.
Drink beer.
When you have been drinking your skin chemistry changes, and it lures mosquitoes in.
Have smelly feet.
In fact, scientists have shown that mosquitoes find your tootsies ten times more alluring. However, the hands are mosquitoes favorite body part.
Are a wallflower.
When mosquitoes smell a huge mass of carbon dioxide, they fly toward it; after they get there, it’s easier to attack the people on the perimeter of the group than those smack-dab in the center.
Don’t pay attention to your landscaping.
Mosquitoes like to hang out in thick, overgrown vegetation. The darker and more humid, the better. If you keep your lawn mowed, pool skimmed, and bushes trimmed, your backyard won’t be very appealing. Removing puddles of stagnant water is also a great way to repel mosquitoes—that’s where they like to lay eggs.
You purchase DEET-free repellent.
DEET, along with picaridin, is among the stronger types of insect repellents that help keep mosquitoes away. Each type blocks different receptors that allows mosquitoes to track you down. Mosquitoes are not big fans of natural bug sprays including, lemon eucalyptus and the compound IR3535, although these are a little weaker than DEET and picaridin.
You have CO2-emitting traps.
Great! You may think you’re outsmarting mosquitoes with these devices, which emit carbon dioxide to lure them into a trap. But this traps may attract more than they are able to trap, increasing the presence in your yard. UV bug zappers aren’t effective either: Only a fraction of the pests they kill are mosquitoes.
Pregnant?
If you’re a woman who’s expecting, you emit more carbon dioxide and your abdomen has a higher temperature than when you’re not pregnant, drawing some mosquitoes right to you. Sorry, baby.
End-of-summer bites may be more harmful – West Nile.
It’s simple: Mosquitoes bite birds that have the West Nile virus; then bite humans and spread it. By summer’s end, mosquitoes have had more chances to bite infected birds.
Taking the preventative steps, along with applying insect repellents and an ongoing pest control service, you can reduce your risk against mosquito and tick bites and pest infestations. With cases of West Nile increasing it is important to protect your family, health and property. Our mosquito tips above will help reduce mosquito breeding areas in and around your property. To learn more about Thomas Pest Services and our green mosquito service head over to our website and fill out our contact form to learn how Thomas Pest can assist with your mosquito problem.