Classification Features
In 1901, scientist Karl Landstein was the first to scientifically prove that human blood comes in several types.
He came up with a classification, which subsequently changed somewhat. Each group differs in the content of a specific antigen. The owners of the first group do not have it at all. Representatives of the second have a protein of a certain category. It is these features that determine the blood levels that female mosquitoes feed on. Among other things, the classification takes into account a set of other substances that determine the biological indicators of residents. In order to answer the question of what blood type attracts mosquitoes, scientists conducted a lot of research with the participation of representatives of different nationalities from all over the world.
Breeding cycle
The mating season of insects begins 2–4 days after the pupa turns into an adult. After communication, the mosquito goes in search of squirrel. To do this, the pest uses antennae focused on the head. With their antennae, insects track:
- Heat generated.
- The aroma of sweat.
- Carbon dioxide released during exhalation.
Understanding how a squeaking mosquito drinks blood is not difficult. After all, many scientists have described this process in detail:
- Once the victim is identified, the mosquito looks for a suitable place to bite. Mosquitoes do not gnaw on thick skin. Insects choose places with pulsating wreaths.
- Next, the mosquito forms holes through its proboscis and releases special substances. The components present in saliva reduce the likelihood of clotting.
- Determining that mosquitoes are full is problematic. After all, the insect eats until it gets completely drunk. The volume consumed by an insect at one time depends on how large its abdomen is.
- Once mosquitoes are fed, they look for places to lay eggs.
Because mosquitoes are especially active in the summer, some people are afraid of them. Children often ask their parents how many mosquitoes it takes to drink all the blood of a person. To calculate everything correctly, you need to know:
- How much lymph does the female consume?
- How many liters of lymph are there in a person?
Scientists have also studied this issue. For a person to die from the loss of protein substance, it takes at least 199–200 thousand insects.
Why do mosquitoes need blood?
Why do mosquitoes drink blood? The fact is that eating animal or human blood is a necessity for female mosquitoes. It is one of the richest nutrient resources. Females need it because it contains a large amount of protein. Protein, in turn, contributes to the reproductive function. Males only need carbohydrate, which they easily find in plant nectars.
Protein contributes to the quality functioning of the egg laying process: it all depends on the quantity and quality of blood drunk.
Who drinks, male or female?
To understand which sex needs blood, it is necessary to study the physiological characteristics and basic needs. Since only mosquitoes are involved in the formation of clutches, they also require protein from the lymph. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood. They prefer plant juice or nectar from certain flowers. Males differ in the structure of their proboscis and mouthparts.
To understand whether squeaking mosquitoes can drink all the blood, it is necessary to study the mechanism. The insect has a constant need for protein, so mosquitoes suck blood until they are completely saturated with the bloody substance. The pest breaks away from the “healing source” after its abdomen is filled.
What attracts blood-sucking parasites
Mosquitoes do not bite a clean body with the aroma of soap, shampoo, perfume, cologne, or eau de toilette. After some time, bacteria accumulate on the body during natural metabolic processes, which forms its own odor, attractive to mosquitoes. Insects often bite on the legs and ankles, since the smell is most intense in these places.
When breathing, carbon dioxide is formed, which parasites sense several tens of meters away. The more intense the breathing, the more pests will flock together. In parallel with this, against the background of physical activity, the work of the sweat glands increases. The persistent smell creates a unique aura around a person that mosquitoes cannot help but notice. Of particular interest are overweight people, athletes, people engaged in intense physical labor, who do not observe the rules of personal hygiene.
Odors that attract mosquitoes
Lactic acid is another important indicator. Consumption of milk, yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk, ice cream, cheese, and other fermented milk products helps increase its amount. For this reason, mosquitoes are more likely to bite babies.
Interesting!
A glass of beer acts on bloodsuckers as a signal to attack. Mosquitoes can hear the smell from 50 meters away and rush to bite with incredible appetite. But a glass of vodka repels pests several meters away.
Interesting observations
Mosquitoes and blood type are interconnected, but this is not the only criterion by which bloodsuckers determine the ideal victim. The decisive role is played by your own body odor, which is formed by bacteria. There are about a million of them in the body of every person. During the process of life, a certain aroma appears, which attracts parasites.
Frequent victims of midges and midges are people with impaired metabolism, hormonal imbalance, problems in the functioning of the immune and endocrine systems, as well as patients with tuberculosis. A person in whose body processes of decay and the development of oncology occurs repels mosquitoes and becomes unattractive to them.
The body of a pregnant woman is a tasty morsel for bloodsuckers. Frequent breathing, increased metabolism, and hormonal changes lead to the formation of increased levels of carbon dioxide, sweat, lactic acid, and heat. In most cases, parasites try to bite the stomach
Interesting observations
Mosquitoes and blood type are interconnected, but this is not the only criterion by which bloodsuckers determine the ideal victim. The decisive role is played by your own body odor, which is formed by bacteria. There are about a million of them in the body of every person. During the process of life, a certain aroma appears, which attracts parasites.
Frequent victims of midges and midges are people with impaired metabolism, hormonal imbalance, problems in the functioning of the immune and endocrine systems, as well as patients with tuberculosis. A person in whose body processes of decay and the development of oncology occurs repels mosquitoes and becomes unattractive to them.
The body of a pregnant woman is a tasty morsel for bloodsuckers. Frequent breathing, increased metabolism, and hormonal changes lead to the formation of increased levels of carbon dioxide, sweat, lactic acid, and heat. In most cases, parasites try to bite the stomach.
What blood type do mosquitoes like?
Let's look into this issue. Once again I would like to clarify that a person has 4 blood groups based on the type of erythrocyte antigens:
- 0 (I);
- A (II);
- B (III);
- AB (IV)
To this we should also add the presence of negative or positive Rh, but in our case this does not matter. What kind of blood do mosquitoes like?
The first research by scientists began in the 70s of the 20th century and has been continued now. According to some scientific studies, pests were most attracted to people with (I) blood type. People with blood group (II) were bitten by mosquitoes half as often. Those with (III) blood group remained more passive to insect attacks.
The body of most people secretes a chemical enzyme through the skin that allows mosquitoes to recognize blood parameters. A small part of the world's population, 15%, does not secrete the chemical enzyme onto the skin.
Genetics is the most important factor determining a person’s susceptibility to bloodsucker bites. Unfortunately, our genes determine our blood type and the chemical composition of our body. Genetics also dictates other factors that can make you an object of attraction for insects in the local population, say foreign scientists.
Why don't mosquitoes bite everyone?
Kirill Stasevich “Science and Life” No. 6, 2020
“Science and Life” / illustrations
Mosquitoes don't bite everyone - that's a fact. For example, you came in the company of friends to the river or to the forest, and literally a minute later someone is already fighting off mosquitoes, and someone is blissful, having escaped with maybe just a couple of bites. Research confirms that some people are more attracted to mosquitoes than others. But how is it that mosquitoes love someone more? Do these people have particularly tasty blood, or do they smell somehow more appetizing?
Both are true. There is at least one scientific paper that shows that type 0 (I) blood is preferred by mosquitoes over type A (II), B (III) and AB (IV) blood. True, experiments were carried out with Aedes albopictus
- Asian tiger mosquitoes, and perhaps different types of mosquitoes have different preferences. They determine blood type by smell. About 85% of people secrete chemicals that reveal their blood type; Accordingly, mosquitoes will primarily fly to them. The remaining 15% of people whose blood type does not smell are less attractive to mosquitoes. They bite less, but they still bite, because in addition to the blood type, we have something to sniff at.
Common mosquito ( Culex pipiens
). Photo: Barillet-portal.David, Bordeaux / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Mosquitoes find their prey through the carbon dioxide that we all exhale. Figuratively speaking, for them the whole world looks like streams of CO2, and they fly to where there is more of it. Using the carbon footprint, mosquitoes determine the location of the victim several tens of meters away. It is clear that they will fly to the one who exhales more carbon dioxide, which is why children suffer less from mosquitoes than adults. When you do hard physical work or play sports, you begin to breathe more often and thereby cause increased mosquito interest in yourself.
Mosquitoes smell more than just carbon dioxide. At a distance of about one meter, they begin to sniff other odors. Mosquitoes are attracted to the smells of lactic acid, as well as ammonia, acetone, sulcatone (a substance from the ketone group) and some carboxylic acids. There is more of this in the human smell than in the smell of animals, which is why mosquitoes prefer to bite people rather than cows and dogs (well, bare human skin also plays an important role in their choice).
Lactic acid and the other compounds mentioned above are formed as a result of biochemical reactions, and if these reactions are particularly intense, then the attractiveness to mosquitoes increases. During physical activity, you not only emit more carbon dioxide, but also other tempting odors due to your metabolism speeding up.
Finally, there is another component in the smell of a person that attracts mosquitoes - these are substances secreted by skin microflora. There are about a thousand species of bacteria on the skin, most of which live in the upper layers of the epidermis and in the upper parts of the hair follicles. No matter how thoroughly we wash our skin with soap, it is impossible to completely get rid of skin bacteria. Yes, this is not necessary, because they do not cause any harm and even bring benefits, keeping truly dangerous microorganisms away from us. For example, the skin-dwelling bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa
) secretes pseudomonic acid, which is disliked by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, which can cause serious illnesses. Pseudomonas aeruginosa also suppresses the growth of pathogenic fungi. It is assumed that skin symbiotic bacteria help skin immunity work, just as intestinal bacteria help intestinal immunity distinguish beneficial microbes from harmful ones and promptly destroy uninvited guests. However, it is worth clarifying that the skin bacterium remains harmless and even useful only as long as it lives in the upper layer of the epidermis. If the bacterium moves deeper, or worse, enters the bloodstream, it becomes a very dangerous pathogen. It’s not for nothing that the same Pseudomonas aeruginosa got its terrifying name: it is found in purulent wounds and boils, it causes inflammation of the intestines and bladder. Actually, the harmlessness of microflora is closely related to the state of the immune system: if the immune system works normally, it is able to keep microbes where they are supposed to live and where they have no opportunity to harm. If immune restrictions weaken, then bacteria can do anything.
Aedes aegypti mosquito
- carrier of yellow fever. Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim / Wikimedia Commons / PD
No matter how harmless or even beneficial microflora may be, it has a significant drawback - it makes us smell. Sweat wouldn't have any odor if it weren't for skin microbes. Bacteria break down substances that sweat and sebaceous glands secrete. The products of these biochemical reactions sometimes have a not very pleasant aroma. Propionic bacteria convert amino acids contained in the secretions of the sebaceous glands into foul-smelling propionic acid. Bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis
produces isovaleric acid, the odor of which has been described as “the smell of sweaty feet.” These are just two examples, but in general there are several hundred different odorous substances in human odor. The microflora of all people is different: some have more bacteria of the same type, some have less, so the ratio of odorous substances produced by microbes differs from person to person, and so does the overall smell.
The life cycle of the common mosquito: oviposition, four larval stages, pupa and adult (adult).
Illustration: Marina Ruiz Villarreal LagyofHats / Wikimedia Commons / PD If you compare the composition of the individual microflora of a person with how much mosquitoes love him, then a clear pattern can be traced: the more diverse the skin microflora, the fewer mosquitoes land on it. And vice versa, the poorer the species composition of the skin microflora, the more attractive a person is to mosquitoes. We are talking specifically about species diversity, and not about the individual number of bacteria: two different people may have approximately the same number of bacterial cells, but a different number of species to which these bacteria belong.
First of all, such studies are carried out with mosquitoes that carry dangerous diseases, such as anopheles malaria, or with the so-called yellow fever mosquitoes. Most likely, other species also pay attention to the microbial odor of the skin. Perhaps, with a greater diversity of microflora, fewer tempting-smelling substances are formed on the skin, or, conversely, substances that repel mosquitoes appear. What these substances are and what bacteria produce them is still unclear. The matter is complicated by the fact that mosquitoes may not evaluate the individual components of each odor, but, so to speak, the bouquet as a whole. So far, it is known that bacteria of the genera Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Corynebacteria and Staphylococcus secrete substances that attract mosquitoes, and bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas produce substances that suppress the odors of other microbes.
Anopheles albimanus mosquito
- carrier of malaria. Photo: James Gathany/Wikimedia Commons/PD
The composition of skin microflora depends largely on the environment, on what we touch, how we wash our hands, and so on. But it also depends on the skin itself: whether it sweats a lot, whether a lot of sebum is secreted, whether there are many substances in the sweat that attract bacteria, and whether the skin secretes a lot of protective antimicrobial substances. All these properties depend to one degree or another on genes, and sooner or later researchers had to come up with the idea of testing whether genetics influence a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes.
How to do it? You can, for example, take identical and fraternal twins and let mosquitoes bite them. Identical twins have exactly the same genes, but fraternal twins have different genes to some extent, and if genes really influence the attitude of mosquitoes towards us, this will be clearly visible in the twins.
Such an experiment was actually carried out, and it turned out that mosquitoes do not distinguish between identical twins, but among fraternal twins they clearly prefer one to the other. This means that genes basically influence mosquitoes to bite some people more and others less. The smell that indicates a particular blood type, the composition of sweat, and the antimicrobial molecules secreted by the skin depend on genes. But which specific genes play a role here is still unclear.
Mosquito pupa. Photo: Andrei Stavitsky / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
In general, the answer to the question why mosquitoes do not bite everyone is this: because people have different genes and different skin bacteria; both genes and bacteria work together to create an odor that mosquitoes may or may not like. The answer is not very specific, but at least there is scientific research regarding bacteria and genes. Perhaps in the future it will be possible to find out exactly which bacteria repel bloodsuckers, and anti-mosquito bacterial products made from “natural raw materials” will appear in stores.
Sometimes, however, they also say that mosquitoes are attracted to skin of a certain color and that they can be repelled by adhering to a certain diet, but there is no scientific data on this yet. (Although diet affects the skin microflora and therefore can indirectly make the skin more or less attractive to mosquitoes.)
To be fair, it should be added that mosquitoes navigate not only by smell - they also hear and see, and they even have a temperature sensor that allows them to choose warmer places on the skin to make it more convenient to drink blood. It is believed that dark objects seem more pleasant to mosquito eyes (although it is not clear why), so you can also get rid of excess mosquito attention by wearing colored and light-colored clothing. As for hearing, it was recently discovered that mosquitoes remember odors associated with unpleasant vibrations in the air, and then try to avoid them, even if it is the smell of a person. In other words, if you actively clap your hands, mosquitoes may remember that it is better not to fly in your direction.
Details for the curious
Something about the short life of a mosquito
There are about 3,600 species of blood-sucking mosquitoes (Culicidae). They inhabit all continents except Antarctica. The most common mosquito ( Culex pipiens
) is found wherever its main victim, humans, lives.Most mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices. But among them there are quite a lot of species that have learned to suck the blood of humans and animals - not only animals and birds, but also reptiles, amphibians and even fish; There are mosquitoes that suck the hemolymph of large insects.
A mosquito feeds on nectar on a flower. Photo: Abhishek 727 Abhishek Mishra / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Only female mosquitoes drink blood; males feed on nectar and live no more than a week. Females live longer. After drinking blood, they wait several days until the blood is digested and until a portion of eggs is ripe. The eggs are then laid on the surface of the water, or on damp ground at the water's edge, or on floating objects.
Larvae hatched from eggs live in water and feed on aquatic microorganisms. After some time, they pupate and adult insects emerge from the pupae. In some species this takes only five days, in others it takes about a month and a half.
Larvae and one pupa of a mosquito. Photo: James Gathany, CDC / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
How do mosquitoes drink blood?
Since only females need foreign blood, they are the ones who attack people and animals. Due to different diets, female and male individuals have different oral structures.
Physiological features that help the female drink blood:
- there are six sharp needles on the body.
- To pierce the skin, two of them are used, at the ends of which there are small teeth.
- To get to the blood vessels, the insect launches a kind of pump into the hole made - a very thin and flexible needle. With its help, the mosquito raises blood closer to the surface of the skin.
- The remaining needles are used as spacers to enlarge the hole.
Since the human body is able to quickly clot blood thanks to a certain enzyme, the mosquito needs to take additional measures to pump it out.
The main one is injecting your saliva into the wound, which acts as an anticoagulant. It facilitates the process of drinking blood by neutralizing the aforementioned enzyme, which allows the insect to be properly satisfied.
Please note: it is at this moment that a person feels an unpleasant burning sensation, which may subsequently result in an allergic reaction to the injected substance.
The mosquito’s “tools” are so thin and sharp that it is almost impossible to notice the bite at its very beginning. Usually a person feels discomfort already in the process of pumping out his blood.
Since the mosquito drinks blood to breed, the insect aims to obtain the maximum amount of building material for subsequent reproduction. If the bloodsucker's abdomen is full, it seeks to get rid of excess body fluid.
The first blood group for mosquitoes
Even though mosquitoes bite us all, there are certain favorites that they love the most. These are people with the first blood group. This is the group they love the most. If it seems to you that this is completely wrong, then you can conduct an experiment when two people with the first and fourth groups go out into the street in the evening. There will be many more bites on the body of a first-generation child. And this fact has long been proven. Whatever tactics you choose, this method will still be fully proven.
The least attractive blood types for mosquito bites are the third and fourth groups. It is not really known what exactly this depends on, because if you take into account one and the other blood group, they will be slightly different in composition. For example, it may be a different Rh factor, which determines the presence or absence of protein. This substance somehow affects the composition of the plasma, which as a result can also attract or repel persistent insects.
What blood type does mosquitoes dislike?
According to scientists, people with the third and fourth blood groups are least likely to be attacked by mosquitoes. When holders of the first and fourth blood groups were sent to places where bloodsuckers accumulated, there were practically no bite marks on the latter. But those who had the first group received a lot of bites.
It is important to clarify that mosquitoes are indifferent to those with the third blood group; they choose them in exceptional cases. Therefore, when going on a picnic with friends who have blood type O, you don’t have to be afraid of being bitten. Despite many studies and experiments in this area, scientists do not have more accurate information about why mosquitoes prefer some and do not approach others.
Mosquitoes love to bite pregnant women
We have already decided which blood type mosquitoes prefer to drink. But there is also the fact that these insects most often bite pregnant women. What this depends on is also 100% unknown. The only thing that has been proven is that mosquitoes are attracted to the higher body temperature that is observed in a pregnant woman.
Pregnant women also exhale 21% more carbon dioxide than non-pregnant women. Perhaps this is what prompts mosquitoes to bite frequently, regardless of the blood type of a pregnant woman. An important role is played by the body odor of pregnant women, because it also has its own specific shade. This fact has long been proven by scientists to this day in medical and scientific practice.
Why do mosquitoes bite pregnant women?
Mosquitoes divide women into regular and sweet, which for them are pregnant women. The reasons for this behavior of mosquitoes have not been studied. It has only been proven that mosquitoes prefer warm blood, and a pregnant woman’s body temperature is always slightly elevated.
But, perhaps, the main thing is different. It is known that insects with blood-sucking mouthparts detect their prey by the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the surrounding air. Since pregnancy intensifies metabolism, decarboxylation processes in the body are more active, and more carbon dioxide is released
The victim has been discovered, but whether her blood type is rare or common is no longer so important: everyone will be bitten
Mosquitoes love the specific aroma of pregnant women
This may be why mosquitoes prefer to bite pregnant women. Whether this is true or not, the phenomenon of mosquito preference for pregnant women is a proven scientific fact.
Most Favorite Blood
As a result of the experiments, carriers of the first group received a greater number of bites. This is the most preferred blood for mosquitoes. Due to the fact that it lacks proteins, it has a certain consistency, and red blood cells have a smoother surface. It is worth noting that the most favorite blood for mosquitoes is the first group with a negative Rh factor. A positive factor does not repel bloodsuckers, but is less attractive than a negative one.
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Following the representatives of the first group in terms of the number of bites are the owners of the second group. But if you have to choose, mosquitoes flock to the smell of the first group, this is a repeatedly proven fact.
Most Favorite
Blood Type and Mosquitoes
Numerous studies have been conducted to confirm the fact that female mosquitoes actually fly according to blood type. They involved a variety of people who had different blood counts. As a result, most bloodsuckers bit carriers of the first category.
This is the most delicious blood for mosquitoes. It completely lacks proteins and this fact plays a certain role on its consistency. In it, red blood cells have a smoother surface.
On a note!
It was also noted that the most attractive are people with the first group and a negative Rh factor. Mosquitoes and blood type number one, but with positive Rhesus - an equally common combination. But experiments have proven that bloodsuckers are less interested in positive Rhesus than in negative ones.
Insects also bite second-graders more often. They had slightly fewer mosquito bites than the owners of the first one. But the fact that mosquitoes initially swoop in precisely to feast on the first group has been confirmed more than once.
What else attracts bloodsuckers?
Blood type and mosquitoes
Some other factors may also attract bloodsuckers. Midges and mosquitoes detect their prey using the following indicators:
- The amount of carbon dioxide. It is released by a person during breathing. Insects especially take advantage of this opportunity at night, when people are resting.
- The smell of sweat. Attracts bloodsuckers over very long distances. The more a person sweats, the more insects he can attract. This confirms that trying to escape from a swarm of mosquitoes is simply useless. During activity, the sweat glands will work more intensely and the victim will become more vulnerable.
On a note!
The color of clothing is also of great importance. Therefore, when going outdoors, it is better to give preference to things in lighter shades. Insects also prefer people who have consumed alcohol or bananas. It is not recommended to use citrus and floral perfumes in nature; they can also attract bloodsuckers.
Thus, mosquitoes and midges really prefer to drink blood that lacks antibodies of both types, but this does not mean that severe hunger will prevent them from biting a person with any other type. Numerous other factors also contribute to the fact that some people are more attractive to insects, while others are practically uninteresting. Scientists have not been able to scientifically substantiate this fact.
Why are mosquito bites dangerous?
Experts identify 3 thousand species of mosquitoes, for 100-200 of which the main habitat is the territory of our country. These bloodsuckers spread many bacteria and viruses, which means their bites can cause considerable harm to human health.
In order not to miss possible dangerous manifestations, you need to soberly assess the symptoms of the bite.
The following signs are acceptable:
- itching
- Swelling at the site of the bite.
- Inflammation of the skin, hyperemia (redness).
Important: the indicated symptoms are acceptable if they are of moderate severity.
The severity of possible consequences directly depends on several factors:
- the victim's predisposition to allergic reactions.
- A type of insect.
- Caring for the damaged area.
- No external influence on the wound (scratching).
For our latitudes, a common reaction is an allergy, but in other climates mosquitoes are carriers of more serious diseases:
- malaria or swamp fever. Found in the tropics and subtropics. Manifested by fever, chills, headache, nausea.
- Tularemia. The carrier of the disease is hares, small rodents, rabbits, the carrier is bloodsuckers. Manifested by fever, damage to the lymph nodes, and general intoxication.
- Zika virus. A person sick with this virus has children born with microcephaly (congenital neurological pathology). After biting an infected person, the mosquito becomes a carrier. There are currently no cases of Zika virus disease recorded in the Russian Federation.
- West Nile virus. Infection occurs from a mosquito that previously drank the blood of a sick bird. The infection affects the brain and central nervous system. The disease manifests itself as severe headache, fever, and convulsions. In more advanced cases, death occurs.
How to protect yourself from mosquitoes
Regardless of your blood type, the mere presence of mosquitoes is unpleasant. In addition, bloodsuckers are capable of carrying many dangerous diseases. The most common of these is malaria. Therefore, mosquito bites should not be ignored, especially for pregnant women.
You can protect yourself from them by using specially designed body sprays or creams. The pronounced smell they possess repels mosquitoes and can significantly reduce the number of bites. Such products must be applied to clean skin, since the smell of sweat can overwhelm the aroma of the products, making them useless.
When choosing a mosquito repellent, you should read the instructions so that its components do not cause allergies or cause harm, especially for pregnant women and children. People with the first and second blood groups should definitely have such funds.
And if you do get bitten, then wipe the wound with alcohol tincture of calendula, cologne or boric acid. The main thing in this case is to destroy the bacteria that have entered the bite site. If you don’t have anything at hand, you should smear the wound with saliva, toothpaste, onion or garlic.
Who is most often bitten by mosquitoes and how to hide from them
Who is most often bitten by mosquitoes and how to hide from them
Mosquitoes that are annoying in the summer can not only cause discomfort, but also pose a danger. Fortunately, there are no particularly dangerous insects in our area, but it is important to know when the bite of an ordinary mosquito can cause serious harm. How not to be their “favorite” and avoid the attack of bloodsuckers?
Who do mosquitoes choose as their prey?
Scientists agree that the mosquito is guided by a source of heat and carbon dioxide. Some studies have shown that the selection of a target for a bite occurs in three stages. First, the insect uses its sense of smell. Already 50 meters from a person, a mosquito can sense the carbon dioxide it exhales. Then vision comes to the aid of the mosquito. He sees his prey at a distance of 15 meters; dark objects attract his attention more. However, it will not be deceived by a plant or a stone, because the mosquito chooses from those objects that have passed the initial selection. Having approached the victim three meters, the mosquito already feels the warmth and is preparing to bite.
Why do some people find themselves more popular among mosquitoes than others during a picnic or fishing? A pregnant woman or an overweight person may be a favorite of mosquitoes, as they produce more heat and carbon dioxide. Scientists say that the mosquito's choice can be influenced by the microflora of the skin. One study identified 346 chemicals in the human palm, 277 of which may be attractive to different types of mosquitoes. And previously it was discovered that mosquitoes are attracted to lactic acid and ammonia released in sweat. It turns out that playing sports outside can be dangerous.
There is also a version that the first blood group is more attractive for these insects. Some studies have shown that drinking alcohol, particularly beer, increases the risk of being bitten. But people taking vitamin B are less interesting to mosquitoes.
If you don't hide, it's not the mosquito's fault.
One hundred percent guarantee of protection against mosquitoes is to stay at home. And if you still need to go outside to be torn apart by them, then it is better to cover the surface of the skin as much as possible, wear clothes with long sleeves and thick fabric. Repellents can also be used, but not all are equally effective.
For babies sleeping outside in a stroller, a mosquito net will be a good idea. If mosquitoes attack at home, then such a net can also be used near the crib.
Swatting mosquitoes is a bad idea unless you want to tell them, “Hey, I'm here.” Excessive gesticulation will only speed up blood circulation and increase the production of carbon dioxide, besides, mosquitoes do not have very good eyesight, but they see movement perfectly.
After the bite
There is an optimistic belief that the more mosquito bites you get in early summer, the less likely you will be to be bitten later in life as your immune system kicks in.
Usually a local reaction appears to an insect bite: redness, swelling, itching, and sometimes pain. However, it varies from person to person and also depends on the location of the bite. One person may experience swelling, while another may not notice a mosquito bite at all.
For a child, insect bites can be especially unpleasant or even painful, but the pain usually decreases or goes away completely the next day. However, if your baby has a severe allergic reaction or has been bitten in the mouth or throat, you should see a doctor.
Call a doctor immediately if there is swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or difficulty breathing. An anaphylactic reaction can be fatal. It usually occurs within 20 minutes after the bite and no later than two hours after it. You should also consult a doctor if your child has previously had serious reactions to insect bites.
At home, first aid is to relieve pain or reduce swelling by applying a cold compress. The main thing is not to rub the bite site. If your child is bitten in the mouth, you can give him an ice cube to suck on or drink cold water.
It is necessary to consult a doctor if a local reaction - redness or swelling - does not go away for a long time. And also if an infection is suspected: when after a day or two the swelling and pain intensify, the temperature rises.
Natural death of a mosquito bite
Who would have thought that a simple “snack” could lead to death. Another way to express a mosquito bite is: “For dinner it’s like going to war.”
He dies from his own bite, or rather from his own saliva. When saliva causes itching, a person will scratch this place without thinking. Thus, it will drive away or even kill the insect. As a result, the mosquito may be left without “lunch” or die.
Interestingly, a mosquito can suck more blood than it weighs. This prevents him from taking off, and therefore kills him.
To avoid getting bitten, it is better to use products that repel various insects with their smell, and not just mosquitoes.
Sources
- https://FB.ru/post/environment/2019/5/31/104188
- https://DomoVreditel.ru/komary/pochemu-komary-pyut-krov
- https://klopkan.ru/komary/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary/
- https://notklop.ru/komary/o-komarah/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary/
- https://rci76.ru/klopy/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary-bolshe-vsego.html
- https://parazitdoma.ru/drugie-parazity/pochemu-komary-pyut-krov
- https://krasnayakrov.ru/gruppy-krovi/kakuyu-lyubyat-komary.html
- https://apest.ru/komary/o-komarah/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary/
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Helpful Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites
If your genetics make mosquitoes perceive you as their “favorite dish,” then you need to use simple bite prevention measures to camouflage yourself:
- Wear light-colored clothing when insects are a nuisance. Dark clothing attracts bloodsuckers.
- Try to move less if you are attacked by whole hordes of insects, since the CO2 released by your body is an identification factor that says that you are not a tree, but a living creature.
- If possible, try to choose the right time of day for your walks, as mosquitoes prefer to feed at dusk and dawn, when air humidity rises and the wind tends to subside.
- If you still decide to sit in your garden plot in the evening, then try to equip this place with a simple fan, since it is difficult for mosquitoes to fly even in light winds.
- You should not refuse to use repellents, of which there is currently a large selection. Choose the most effective one.
- Even if all measures do not bring results, then find someone who is “tastier” than you and stay close to him.
Timur Shapovalov
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