If many people are afraid of snakes, sharks, or spiders, there is however a much more deadly animal: the mosquito. This insect is also the deadliest animal in the world, which can transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, or the West Nile virus. But even those who do not carry disease remain a nuisance.
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How do mosquitoes bite?
It is the females that need the proteins contained in the blood when it comes time for them to produce eggs. When they sting their victim, “they inject a whole cocktail of different proteins into the skin that act as painkillers and anticoagulants that prevent the blood from clottingexplained to CNN Dr. Conor McMeniman, assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology. Itching and discomfort mosquito bites – a result of our body’s inflammatory response to this chemical cocktail – only occur later, when the attacker is no longer at risk of being crushed”.
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Before continuing : “The degree of attraction you think you have to mosquitoes does not necessarily correlate with your actual attraction to mosquitoes. Part of this is driven by the perception of your reaction to mosquitoes and whether you are itchy”.
Concretely, this means that you can have a few bites that scratch you a lot, while someone else can have many pimples without really itching.
What attracts mosquitoes?
As Conor McMeniman explains in a study in the journal Current Biology, some people are mosquito magnets because of their body odor. “We are still trying to understand the chemistry of this process, he told CNN. There could be a variety of factors that could influence your scent composition, including your underlying diet, genetics, and physiology. All of these things could potentially influence the types of molecules emitted by the human body and also influence the makeup of the microbiome that naturally lives on our skin.”
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Scientists are certain of one thing, however: one of the smells that most attract mosquitoes is carbon dioxide, the gas we exhale when we breathe. Body heat and perspiration also seem to play a role. It is therefore likely that people in groups or those doing sports attract these insects more.
On the other hand, if it is possible that drinking beer, or certain colors, such as red and black, are attractive to mosquitoes, this has not yet been scientifically demonstrated.
What products to use to repel mosquitoes?
Pending the development of a miracle product, there is no insecticide capable of repelling mosquitoes 100%. Dr. Conor McMeniman recommends covering up as much as possible at this time. Also look for a product with ingredients like DEET and picaridin. If you want more natural components, opt for lemon eucalyptus oil. And don’t forget to apply regularly.
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You can also protect your home by installing window screens and removing standing water where female mosquitoes lay their eggs. Finally, you can turn on a fan or an air conditioner, the wind they produce making it impossible for the mosquito to travel to you.
On the same topic :
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