You have spent all day outside, and once you’ve come back to relax, you feel an itch, and then another, and then another! You try to count the number of mosquito bites you have, but there are too many to count! “Why are they so attracted to me?” you wonder, and why do mosquitoes BITE?
Why do Mosquitoes Bite?
Mosquitoes bite humans to feed on our blood. Only female mosquitoes bite, and the nutrients from our blood help them make the eggs they need to reproduce.
What Happens When A Mosquito Bites You?
When a mosquito bites, it pierces our skin using a specific mouthpart (proboscis) to suck up blood. While feeding, it injects saliva into our skin. The saliva contains anticoagulants which prevents blood clotting. If the blood were to clot, the mosquito’s mouth might get stuck. Our skin then reacts with a red and itchy bump.
What Attracts Mosquitoes to Certain People?
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Carbon Dioxide: We all emit carbon dioxide, and sometimes we produce more, for example, when we’re active. A mosquito may detect an increase in carbon dioxide, alerting them that a host is nearby. The mosquito may then go towards that area.
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Body Odor: Mosquitoes are attracted to certain body odors that are given off in our sweat and or skin. Some compounds that mosquitoes are attracted to include lactic acid and ammonia. Body odor is determined by genetics. If you’re related to someone who often attracts mosquitoes, you might too.
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Color: Mosquitos are also attracted to the color black, however, little is known about why.
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Alcohol: Research shows that someone who has consumed alcohol, is more attractive to mosquitos than those who have not.
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Pregnancy: Research indicates that mosquitoes appear to be more attracted to pregnant women, than non-pregnant. This could be because pregnancy causes our body to raise in body temperature, and exhale more carbon dioxide.
What Repels Mosquitos?
The following natural ingredients repel mosquitos: lemon eucalyptus oil, lavender, cinnamon oil, thyme oil, greek catnip oil, soybean oil, citronella, tea tree oil, geraniol, and neem oil.
Treatment for Mosquito Bites:
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Antihistamines: Over the counter medication that can help reduce inflammation and itching.
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Applying Heat: Applied heat may also help to reduce inflammation and itching.
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Applying Honey: Honey is an antibacterial and can help wounds heal by preventing infection. Make sure to wash it off before going outside, because it may attract mosquitoes and other insects.
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Aloe: Applied aloe may help inflammation as well by soothing the itch, and encourage wound healing.
While it may be tempting to try to treat a mosquito infestation on your own, using store-bought products can be ineffective and expose your family and pets to potentially harmful chemicals. We hope that this article has helped you understand why mosquitoes bite. Holistic Pest Solutions will treat the root of the infestation with long term solutions designed to keep them from coming back. To reduce mosquito populations on your property, reach out to the mosquito control professionals at Holistic Pest Solutions! CONTACT US today.
See also: Mosquito Time – A Summer That Bites and also: History Of The Mosquito
*Our Environmental Commitment: Holistic Pest Solutions is committed to the preservation of our environment. Our goal is to nurture the soils and plant life of lawns and landscapes. Utilizing holistic pest control practices that cause the least amount of impact on the environment.
