Month: June 2013

Best Mosquito-Free Summer Vacation Spots

Posted on by k2Dev

Where are the best mosquito-free vacation spots? Some mosquito experts say that if there are still waters nearby, then there will be mosquitoes. If the area has little to no breeze, then you will most likely encounter mosquitoes. And if it has recently rained for long periods of time, then you will most likely encounter these critters. Understand the region in which you plan to vacation and check the weather.

Ok, so how can you avoid these areas? If you want to vacation in the states, then you are in luck. Alaska is a great place to go, or perhaps West Virginia. West Virginia is actually the country’s region with the fewest mosquitoes; it only has 26 species. The high and majestic plains of Colorado are also known to be mosquito free, but you might find quite a handful of hummingbirds, just in case you mind those.

If you are looking to leave the states, you still have plenty of options. One place is Cancun. The breeze of the ocean and the constant movement of the water help to keep them away from this area. The Caribbean is another place you can enjoy your vacation without these pests. It seems that breezy areas near the beach, and away from the jungle-like areas are the running theme for these vacation spots.

Another place that many found enjoyable and free of mosquitoes is Aruba. Aruba is a very dry beautiful place that has strong winds, and a windy place is no friend to these winged things. Carombola is another great place to stay, but only if you stay in the Northern or Eastern parts of it, as the rest do have a large number of mosquito populations. Is it possible to find the best mosquito-free vacation spots? You bet, you just have to know what to look for and what to avoid and the possibilities become endless

Why Should You Avoid Mosquitoes In The First Place?

It is the female of the mosquito species who must feed on the blood of humans and other vertebrates in order to give birth. They must secrete important proteins and sugars that are needed for reproduction. Some experts have speculated that mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous creatures, but this is something that has not been proven extensively. Some have been known to transmit malaria, yellow fever, and filariasis.

There are over 3,500 species of these insects and counting, some are ‘seemingly’ harmless, while others can be quite dangerous. The dangerous ones are the ones found in forests. Experts worry about these types of mosquitoes in relation to deforestation, which forces the species to migrate and therefore become a danger to us. One would be wise to stay away from unknown forests and deforestation areas.

What Else You Can Do To Avoid These Harmful Pests During Your Vacation

It is important to know these critters before you go anywhere. Pack enough repellent because you do not know if you will be able to acquire some wherever you end up. If there are vaccinations that prevent certain “mosquito” diseases, make sure you get them. Be sure to talk to your doctor about that. These monstrous critters are also attracted to dark colors, so be sure to dress in light colors.

One would be wise to have less skin exposed, so wear boots or long socks. This may be a little difficult, especially in the summer, but it may save you from a bite. Be sure to avoid using perfumes, creams with an aroma, after shaves, makeup and other things, as mosquitoes are attracted to a ‘sweet’ aroma. And one more tidbit is they are most active at dawn and at dusk.

Now that you have the essentials covered, you can enjoy your vacation and not be attacked by these bloodsucking insects.

 

Benefits of Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

The interaction between mosquitoes and the ecosystem is really awe-inspiring. While pesky, and even dangerous to humans, the mosquito plays a critical role in supporting the balance of life.  Without them, parts of the ecosystem would collapse, forever altering nature’s food chain.

Mosquitoes harbor some of the deadliest diseases on earth. Nonetheless nature has put them here for a purpose. So the question still remains, how important are mosquitoes?

Life With and Without The Mosquito

We are all familiar with the reasons why people want mosquitoes to disappear. The spread of malaria, yellow fever,and many other diseases. So what would happen if the mosquito got wiped off the face of the planet?

Well, there are about 3,500 different forms of mosquito. Of that number, there are only about 100 or so that are actually attracted to humans, and only a couple hundred that have any negative impact on the human race. Not so bad when you think of it that way, right?

So what about the other 3,400? Without the mosquito, it is believed that there would be no prey for predators and no pollinators for some plants. Mosquitoes are food for a wide variety of fish, insects, reptiles and birds. And they do an effective job spreading pollen between plants while feeding on nectar.

If there were no mosquitoes, it is predicted that the number of birds would decrease by fifty percent. The “mosquito fish”, the insect’s most common aquatic predator, could face extinction, and some populations of spiders, salamanders, lizards, frogs and other insects could be reduced in large numbers.

It is safe to say that if the mosquito was go, parts of our ecosystem could diminish one species at a time.

More Benefits of the Mosquito

Whether you like them or not, the mosquito performs more services for us than you might imagine – tasks such as pollinating cacao plants. Without the mosquito to pollinate the cacao plant, we may see a day when we kiss our luscious chocolate treats good-bye.

Other plants that rely on the mosquito for pollination could also die out. And the more plants we lose, the more negatively the Earth’s oxygen levels are impacted.  This ultimately affects the oxygen provided to humans and other mammals and living organisms.

And think about the food chain. Losing a few of the mosquito’s natural predators may not seem like a big deal, but the predators of those animals may include some of our very own food sources.

The Final Verdict

Without mosquitoes we wouldn’t have some of the precious living creatures on this earth, since they are a huge food source to many big and small. We wouldn’t have some of the beautiful plants that grow and feed off the earth. We also would have a little less oxygen in the world without the work of these little guys.  And all of our resources are ultimately limited.

But while the mosquito plays an important role in nature, its deadly force should be respected. Mosquitoes are and will remain fit enough for this world, so proper control should remain a priority across the globe.

 

Are Mosquitoes More Attracted to Men or to Women?

Posted on by k2Dev

The female mosquito locates a body of water. This is a crucial point in a mosquito’s life cycle since water is needed for it to be completed. She hovers above the water, crossing her hind legs before lowering her abdomen so that her eggs can be excreted and stacked upon one another. After fifteen minutes, there are over 200 eggs floating along the water in the shape of a miniature boat and the birthing process is complete. Within two days, the mother’s larvae emerge from their eggs in virtual unison, skimming the same water where they were birthed in search of food as they slowly mature into adults.

In the span of a second, one of these same adult mosquitoes can draw its next meal from a vast number of hosts including, but not limited to, the warm-blooded mammal known as the human being. If it gets this opportunity, it may very well leave the person with a number of diseases, such as West Nile Virus, that can be fatal.

Being that female mosquitoes are the gender known for feeding off of animals for egg production, it has been assumed that the human female is their main target. Additionally, it has been a popular belief that a woman’s estrogen levels make her more susceptible to mosquito bites than a man. However, this theory has yet to be scientifically proven.

With this in mind, the question remains: are mosquitoes more attracted to men or women?

Physical Attraction

Mosquitoes have the ability to detect a human’s presence from as far as thirty to fifty meters away. Characteristics that typically draw them towards a person are body movement, as well as body heat. As a result, the larger a host is in size, the more heat their body will generate and the more likely the mosquito will be attracted to draw blood from them. Seeing as how the average male is generally larger than the average female—in height and weight—this makes him an easier target for the female mosquito searching for a host.

The Sweet Scent of Carbon Dioxide

Mosquitoes are naturally attracted to carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas which occurs naturally in all humans, be it man, woman, or child, and is given off through the act of exhaling. However, larger people have a tendency to emit more carbon dioxide, the reason mosquitoes prefer feeding off adults versus children.

Female versus Female

Speaking of children, a woman carrying a child is shown to have an increased risk of attracting mosquitoes, as expectant mothers are shown to release excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, along with higher levels of body temperature, during pregnancy in comparison to their non-pregnant counterparts.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it is evident that the female mosquito shows a greater attraction to men versus women. However, she is also known to show a stronger magnetism to pregnant women over non-pregnant women and anyone shown to give off large amounts of carbon dioxide and high levels of body heat. But, regardless of one’s gender or body mass, there are several steps anyone can implement into their daily routine in order to lessen the chance of being bitten by a mosquito in the first place:

  • Spray insect repellent on exposed skin before going outside. Typically, the best repellent to use is one registered by the EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency.
  • When outdoors, be sure to wear long-sleeves, pants, as well as darker colored clothing.
  • Keep track of peak mosquito times, which can range anywhere from early morning to late evening hours.
  • Be sure to drain any standing water near one’s house. As mentioned earlier, water is one of the most essential elements needed in the average mosquito’s life cycle. Examples of standing water include any stray containers, as well as swimming pool water.
  • A large quantity of dead birds in one’s immediate area is a clear indicator that mosquitoes carrying life-threatening diseases are nearby.

 

Can My Shampoo, Lotion, Deodorant or Perfume Attract Mosquitoes?

Posted on by k2Dev

Does my aroma Attract Mosquitoes?

Did you know that mothers give out a smell that connects them to their children? A newborn prefers the odor of his or her mother over any other woman, and they even experience a calming effect. Odors are incredible and they really do have an unbelievable effect on human interaction and attractions. The companies that create perfumes, lotions, deodorants and other aromas understand the importance of smell. They know that smells are much more than a mere experience for your olfactory sense. There is another side to this, an undesirable side, these certain odors can actually attract mosquitoes.

What Aromas can Attract Mosquitoes?

Sugars are what mosquitoes need in order to produce energy, which is why they are attracted to sweet, sugary, or flowery fragrances. Research shows that mosquitoes do not necessarily see humans first, they most likely smell them first. Avoiding flower-like colors is advisable; wearing dark colors is a good idea. Brown or khaki are colors to consider.

So what aromas attract mosquitoes?

  • Fragrant soaps
  • Perfumes that have a sweet, flowery, or rose-like aroma
  • Fragrant shampoos
  • Fragrant body lotions
  • Colognes
  • Fragrant deodorants

Fragrance is what attracts these insects, so do odorless and you will most likely be a mosquito-free and happy individual.

Why do you Need a Mosquito Repellent?

Did you know that mosquitoes can smell you from 50 meters away? A recent study shows that mosquitoes are attracted to natural aromas, as well as the aforementioned ones. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide. Of course, this is something that we cannot eliminate as it is natural. Experts have shown that larger human beings are the ones who attract these insects more because they are releasing much more carbon dioxide. This fact makes adults and pregnant women at risk. Physical activity will produce sweat, which carries lactic acid. This has a distinct smell which is quite attractive to mosquitoes as well.

Repellents Available to You

  • Deet is one of the effective ways of repelling mosquitoes. It can protect you for about 5 hours.
  • Picaridin is another good repellent which works as well as Deet, but is odorless and has a clean feel on the skin.
  • Avon’s Skin So Soft is another option.
  • Metofluthrin relies on a fan, and does not necessarily have to be placed on the skin. It provides you with an atmosphere that will repel those pesky pests.

Natural Repellents

The aforementioned solutions are based on chemicals, which to some may sound like something they would prefer to avoid. However, mosquitoes are still an issue for those who want natural solutions. Thankfully, there is a solution for those who are unfriendly towards chemicals.

  •  Soybean based oil was shown to protect from mosquitoes for 1.5 hours.
  • Citronella Oil offers a short term relief.
  • Cedar Oil gives you a short term relief.
  • Peppermint Oil is another oil that gives you a short term relief.
  • Lemongrass Oil offers a short term relief.
  • Geranium Oil will give you a short term relief.
  • Eucalyptus Oil has been shown to give you a long term relief from mosquitoes.
  • “Don’t Bite Me” rely on the study that Thiamine or B1 produces an odor that female mosquitoes dislike. It is a very popular repellent among those who prefer lesser chemicals.

If you do not like any of these products, there are mosquito traps as well. They release odors that attract female mosquitoes (yup turning the tables on them) and kills them. There is also a new line of clothing that is infused with a chemical insecticide called permethrin, which allows you to wear your repellent. It seems that there are several options out there to help you against this winged army of blood sucking vermin.

But if you really want to keep mosquitoes away, skip the perfumes and scented lotions while outdoors.

 

Can What I Eat Attract Mosquitoes?

Posted on by k2Dev

When the summer months start to arrive, people look forward to shorter work schedules, barbecues with their friends and relaxing on the beach with a cold beverage in hand. However, mosquitoes are another part of the warmer months, and people generally do not welcome these bugs with open arms. The question remains then, “Can what I eat attract mosquitoes?”

The Short Answer

Ultimately, yes, the foods that you can consume can have some effect on the presence of mosquitoes in your life. While some studies suggest that eating certain foods might keep away or attract mosquitoes, it does have to do with the foods that you have on your plate as well. When you have mosquito-tempting foods sitting out on a platter on a hot summer’s day, you can be sure that these little bugs are going to find their way over to you and cause some annoying itches.

The Banana Question

If you’ve researched this topic before, you’ve probably heard a little bit about bananas. Some disagreement exists when it comes to this topic. Numerous sources, including Pattaya Unlimited’s article “Eat to Avoid Mosquito Bites,” notes that some studies show that bananas actually keep mosquitoes away while others show that they attract mosquitoes. Instead of getting all wound up in the debate, it might be best to avoid bananas when you are going to be sitting outside for the day. Instead, lather on a few layers of bug repellent to keep yourself safe and itch-free.

Sweet Foods and Mosquitoes

It probably comes as no shock that mosquitoes are attracted to sweet foods. Whenever you bring out dessert, you probably see them hovering around more than during the rest of the day. Just like many humans, these little bugs truly have a sweet tooth. Sometimes, they are also able to sense it on your being if you have just consumed some delicious treats. Therefore, it is important for you to be careful of your sweets intake. If you are going to put desserts and other treats outside, then you should make sure they are covered up to prevent problems from these pesky bugs.

Salty Foods

During the summer months, people are chowing down on corn and enjoying delicious meats that have just come off the grill. In many cases, they add some extra salt to these foods to make them even more satisfying, but doing so could make you a target for these bugs that you are trying to avoid. “Are You Attracting Mosquitoes?” by Darcy Andries notes that “Foods high in salt or potassium can cause our bodies to produce more lactic acid.” Andries goes on to explain that lactic acid can attract mosquitoes, so these salt foods can make them come on by.

Hot Foods

While the connection here is not direct, one still exists. Andries also explains that mosquitoes are attracted to sweaty. Therefore, if you are perspiring, a mosquito, or a few of them, may be headed your way quite soon. Some people are able to eat spicy foods without a problem. However, others, when enjoying jalapeno peppers on their burger or a nice cup of summer chili, will start to sweat. This combination of potentially salty foods and sweat can make you a target for mosquitoes.

Enjoying The Summer

As you can see, quite a number of summer foods might make mosquitoes view you as a tasty treat. However, you do not want to spend the season sitting inside and avoiding all types of food that have salt or sugar in them. Instead, you need to invest in a bug spray that is safe for you to use, and be sure that you use only the recommended amount at a time. Making some smarter food choices is not always a bad idea either. In addition to keeping those pesky bugs away, doing so might also help you with your summer weight-loss goals.

Indeed, it is true that the foods you eat can bring mosquitoes over to your table. Whether the bugs are attracted to you or to foods that are lying out on your plate, you want to take steps to keep these bugs away as they can carry deadly diseases.

 

Can Clothing Choice Attract Mosquitoes?

Posted on by k2Dev

Although summer is one of the most loved seasons in the year, it is also the season which brings plenty of mosquitoes. So, when you are spending time outdoors, especially in the evenings, have in mind that mosquitoes are likely to be nearby, looking for people to feast on.

Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying insects with their irritating buzzing, but they also transmit many dangerous to humans. Chief among these is plasmodium, which causes malaria, and various viruses that cause different types of encephalitis. It also transmits yellow fever, dengue fever, wuchereria bankrofti, and filariasis. Most of these diseases are very fatal and can lead to death. Thus, it is very important for people to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Have you ever noticed that when you spend time with your friends outdoor during the summer, mosquitoes seem to be attracted to some of your friends more than others? Thus, mosquitoes do not attack everybody in a crowd equally. While some people in the same place might be spared from the irritating, annoying sound and painful bites of mosquitoes, others might not enjoy similar luxury. So, the question is why do mosquitoes attack some people and spare others in the same place.

Dark-Colored Clothes Attract Mosquitoes

One factor that might be responsible for mosquitoes not attacking everybody equally in a place is the choice of cloth worn by different individuals. People who wear clothing items made from dark colors will be bitten more by mosquitoes than those who wear light-colored clothes. This is because mosquitoes are attracted by dark colors. Mosquitoes are mainly nocturnal insects, and they have an eye system that is designed to see dark objects. Thus, mosquitoes will naturally be attracted to people wearing dark-colored clothes in a crowd, thereby biting them.

Furthermore, dark color helps to trap and conserve carbon dioxide. Research has shown that mosquitoes are attracted to areas with high concentrations of carbon dioxide. Thus, mosquitoes will easily attack people that are close to bonfire or burning candle because of the carbon dioxide emitted by the bonfire or burning candles. By wearing a dark-colored cloth during an outdoor event in a warm summer evening, a person is making himself or herself a prime target of mosquitoes. The dark-colored dress will increase the concentration of carbon dioxide around the individual, making mosquitoes to be attracted to the individual.

Light-Colored Clothes Repel Mosquitoes

While dark-colored clothes attract mosquitoes, light-colored clothes repel mosquitoes. Research has shown that white color repels not only mosquitoes but all kind of insects. The eyes of mosquitoes are structured to function effectively not in daylight but at night. Thus, when two persons wearing light-colored clothing items and dark-colored cloth are in a place, a mosquito will be attracted more to attack the person wearing the dark cloth rather than the one putting on a light-colored dress.

Yellow is a color that is difficult for mosquitoes to see. Since mosquitoes have a hard time seeing yellow color, it is a wise choice to wear yellow-colored dress when going out in a summer evening. Yellow-colored clothing items drastically reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes, making you enjoy your summer evening without the irritating sound and painful bites of mosquitoes.

Light-colored clothing materials also do not store carbon dioxide. Thus, the carbon dioxide content around people wearing light clothing materials will be reduced. Putting on a light-colored dress is not a guarantee that mosquitoes will not bite you. It only reduces your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes when you are outdoors.

 

What Does a Mosquito Eat, Other Than Me?

Posted on by k2Dev

No doubt mosquitos are pesky little critters. They show up when the weather is warm in the great outdoors and seem to zero in on humans having fun. After a summer night outside, a person can feel like mosquito prey. There is an entire industry built around stopping those annoying insects. Every year people buy bug spray, anti-mosquito candles and even wear mosquito repellent around their necks like garlic for protection against vampires. All this can leave a person wondering if mosquitoes have a taste for something other than human blood.

Ladies Only

One interesting fact about mosquitoes is that only female mosquitoes prey on blood and only during a specific time in their lives, when they are about to lay eggs. A female mosquito needs the protein from blood to feed her little family of baby mosquitoes. This means that all the nasty, even deadly diseases spread by mosquitoes come from the lady mosquitoes.

These blood thirsty girls will bite humans, but they prefer avian blood. A mosquito’s prey of choice is birds. If birds aren’t available, female mosquitoes will look for blood from small, vegetarian mammals. Only after exhausting that supply do they turn to people and larger mammals. Dogs, cows, pigs and sheep are all potential victims. Mosquitoes are responsible for heartworm in dogs, so dog owners should be especially vigilant.

Vegetarian, Please

The most common source of food for mosquitoes, male and female, is nectar from flowers. Like their butterfly and honeybee friends, mosquitoes like to sip sweet goodness from the insides of floral blooms. Mosquitoes are sure to be present a field of wildflowers. They use the nectar for energy to fly. Mosquitoes like this yummy, sweet stuff so much that scientists have experimented with poisoning it. They found that when they lace juices and nectar with insect poison, the mosquitoes will be attracted to the delicious mix and will enjoy their final meals.

I’ll Take Mine Rotted

When not preying on human, bird or mammal blood, mosquitoes do not have a preference for fresh meals. They favor rotted fruit, and they often hang out near fruit trees. That way they can get the nectar from the blooms and eat fruit that has rotted or fallen off the tree. They seem to have a particular craving for cherry tree blossoms and rotten cherries. This is a great advantage to birds who nosh on fallen fruit. Sometimes they will find a rotten cherry, strawberry or peach with a delicious mosquito filling. Along with rotten fruit, researches have also discovered that mosquitoes are attracted to a stinky meal of Limburger cheese.

Insect Attraction

While they don’t eat everything that attracts them, mosquitoes are more likely to fly towards some things than others. Typically they are attracted to certain smells and visual cues. They then choose prey where they’ve flown. They like the smell of items such as shampoos and body lotions, possibly because they associate these smells with flowers. They are attracted to heat and moisture, so they will zone right into someone who is sweating. Mosquitoes also prefer the company of people wearing dark clothing.

But even when a mosquito is looking for blood, humans fall near the bottom of the list. However, knowing that doesn’t make a mosquito bite any less itchy!

 

Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Water?

Posted on by k2Dev

Have you ever looked in a birdbath after it rained? If so, chances are you’ve seen a large number of small, swimming things moving around in it. These small things, while seemingly normal and harmless, grow up to be something much more than that: mosquitoes.

Perhaps you’ve noticed this in many more places, that large numbers of small, swimming creatures inhabit the water that you let sit in one place for a long period of time. What most people don’t know is that puddles and ponds of water attract the mosquito to them, drawing in more of this troublesome pest. One then begins to wonder, just why are the mosquitoes so attracted to water like this?

The Mosquito Life-Cycle

Mosquitoes have a life cycle consisting of an egg stage, a larval stage, a pupal stage, and an adult stage. The small creatures seen in water are often mosquitoes that are in their larval or pupal stages of life, where they must live within the water to survive. They are commonly seen in their larval stage, however, as their pupal stage often lasts a few days at most. The eggs typically last several days as well, and are not often seen. This is what brings us to our next question…

Why Exactly Are Mosquitoes Drawn to Water?

Mosquitoes are not necessarily drawn to water itself, but rather the potential home for their offspring. While some mosquitoes will lay their eggs directly in water, where they then float to the surface to hatch, others will lay their eggs on damp soil, leaves, or any other damp surface that they can find.

These areas are most likely to become flooded with water again at some time, such as the bottom of a riverbed. When this happens, the eggs will begin to develop into larva, triggering their life-cycle to begin. Most often, people will see them in areas of water that they frequently leave standing, such as a bird-bath or a watering can they leave out in the rain frequently. This is because the water is often there, making the chances of successful egg development greater than areas where water comes and goes.

So Wait, Are They Attracted to All Water?

The quick answer would be yes. The longer answer, however, would be that they are attracted to some water more than others. Areas that have more mosquitoes tend to be more humid, where rainfall is more frequent, leading to marshes and swamps. Lakes are another favorite of mosquitoes, as a lake is large enough to ensure that the water never fully evaporates, except in extreme conditions. The water in these areas tends to remain relatively still, with little flow that can disrupt the egg laying or developmental cycles.

Flowing water, on the other hand, tends to move rapidly. This movement can make it hard for a mosquito to lay its eggs, and those that it does lay risk being destroyed by the rushing water. The larva once they hatch would also be at a great risk, as they must come to the surface of the water to breath. While this is quite easy in a lake or a masch, doing so becomes difficult when the water is moving you every which way!

“But My Backyard is Full of Mosquitoes, and I Sure Don’t Have a Swamp In It!”

Is there a small creek near you? That can be a big factor, as small creeks tend to have slower moving water, a very good location for mosquitoes to lay eggs. As discussed before, bird baths and watering cans can be another good location for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. While a watering can is not the best, not using it frequently can allow mosquitoes to thrive in it. As for the bird bath, unless you have large numbers of birds coming to visit you, the water there probably isn’t moving much, and unless you take an active effort to change it, provides the perfect location for mosquito growth.

 

What Attracts Mosquitoes?

Posted on by k2Dev

“Zzzz” would be a nice indicator that you are about to be bitten by a mosquito. However, most people do not know they have been bitten until after the fact. So, what makes these pesky bugs bite and how do they choose who they will bite? More importantly, can they be stopped? In order to answer these questions, it helps to understand a bit of mosquito biology.

Why are mosquito bites so bad?

Unfortunately, a mosquito bite is not something that goes unnoticed. Mosquitoes leave behind their symptoms for days: itching, redness and swelling. A person that is bitten by a mosquito usually feels the effects immediately. Unfortunately the trouble does not stop there for some people. Some can experience severe allergic reactions or contract a dangerous disease.

Why do mosquitoes bite?

So, what makes a mosquito bite? First, it is important to understand that male mosquitoes do not bite. Yes, that’s right – the females are the culprits. However, some studies will suggest that some male and some female mosquitoes bite. But only females feed on blood for reproduction.

These ladies are after a substance in our blood called isoleucine. Isoleucine builds amino acid, which stimulates ovulation and egg production in the female mosquito. So biting becomes a survival mechanism for this species. Consequently, if a female fails to find this substance, then she produces no eggs.

Think of it in relationship to human pregnancy. Pregnant women are attracted to foods their bodies need, likewise are mosquitoes.

Who Do Mosquitoes Like?

Sometimes it seems that mosquitoes show favoritism: They prey on some people and not others – even in the same location. But there is more to becoming a victim than just location. Victims of the most frequent mosquito bites often are in the same family as bites are almost 90 percent genetically related. These people produce certain body chemistry elements – namely cholesterol and steroids – that make them more attractive to mosquitoes.

This does not necessarily mean that people who are bitten eat a lot of cholesterol. It has more to do with how that individual’s body processes the cholesterol.

Carbon dioxide is another product liked by mosquitoes. In high school biology class, you learned that people create carbon dioxide when they exhale. Therefore, environments with a lot of exhaling are attractive to mosquitoes. Sporting events are great examples.

And remember that mosquitoes like heat; movement creates heat and mosquitoes have a keen sense of heat detection and smell. In fact, they are able to find their victims at distances up to 30 feet away. If mosquitoes are in the area, heavy breathing, heat and the right genetic disposition will draw them in.

Mosquitoes also prefer the blood of adults over children since their bodies are larger and produce more of their favorite gas and chemicals. Pregnant women are more likely to be bitten than other people. Because they are creating a new human, they exhale a greater amount of carbon dioxide.

What External Environments Attract Mosquitoes?

Itching and swelling can be great motivations to stay away from areas where mosquitoes are likely to bite. Moisture attracts mosquitoes. Therefore, staying away from wet environments can help ward off their bites. Mosquitoes also like dark places. This is why mosquitoes come out at night and in the early morning. Warm summer nights by the lake are ideal feeding spots for mosquitoes.

How Not to Attract Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be quite the nuisance. This is especially true during the right conditions. So knowing what attracts mosquitoes is half the battle. The use of repellants can reduce your body’s genetic attraction, and naturally-sourced substances such as citronella, eucalyptus and lavender can also deter mosquitoes.  Staying away from environments with excess moisture, heat and darkness can also help prevent the long lasting discomforts of a bite.

But if you can’t avoid these situations and you are bitten, follow these handy steps for fast and safe mosquito bite treatment.

 

How Fast and Far Can Mosquitoes Fly?

Posted on by k2Dev

Despite recent events that have made Vampires an object of desire as opposed to danger, another such bloodsucker will never have the same luck. Mosquitoes have always, and forever will be, met with an irritated ‘tsk’, an annoyed ‘ow!’ and a frantic waving of the hands. However, despite the fact that these insects have such a hold on us, we know very little about them.

While we often see them simply as nondescript pests that buzz and bite, there are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes all over the world. And each species carries with it a set of rules and abilities, ranging from what they eat to where they eat. But let’s focus on the thing that make mosquitoes one of the most dreaded insects in the world: their ability to fly.

Where Did It Go?

How fast can the mosquito fly? Well, anyone who has ever tried to swat a mosquito would agree on two things:

a) They seem to fly closer to the speed of light

b) They possess the most frustrating but almost godlike ability to disappear just as we think when we have finally got them.

While these perceptions might make one think that a mosquito is some sort of mutated insect with superpowers that rival those of Flash Gordon, in reality an average mosquito flies at the speed of 1 to 1.5 miles an hour. This is despite the fact that a mosquito’s wings can beat anywhere from 300 to 600 times per second! Thus, while the mosquito may fool us into thinking that it is uncatchable, its speed tells us otherwise.

Go Long!

How far can they fly? While most mosquito species prefer to stay close to their places of birth, some species aren’t afraid to rack up the frequent flier miles. The Saltmarsh mosquitoes are one such species. While their average travelling distances range from 20 to 40 miles, extraordinary circumstances along with a convenient updraft have seen this species travel up to 100 miles from its breeding spot. These migrations are usually in the search of nectar or hosts for the mosquitoes to sustain themselves over a longer period of time. The fact that this specific species can fly so far is mostly because the journey is unidirectional and upwind.

On the other hand, the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has a far more limited flight range. Native to Southeast Asia, these mosquitoes are often averse to leaving home and maintain a flight range of 300 feet from their breeding site. To make up for its minimal range, the Asian Tiger mosquito can reach an altitude of up to 45 feet above the ground, while an average mosquito can only fly at an altitude of 25 feet or lower. Now while these two species are the extremes in terms of flight distance, it is safe to assume that the average mosquito has a flight range of 1 to 3 miles from the area it hatched in. Nevertheless, since mosquitoes travel on hosts, with adequate shelter and a host to constantly feed on, one might even say that a mosquito can go as far as its host can go.

So despite the fact that they have a limited flight range, research has shown us that mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous insects in the world. Ranging from malaria to yellow fever, mosquitoes have been known to carry and spread a number of highly lethal diseases. With a host possibly carrying a mosquito from one continent to another (and if it can survive the in-flight meal), it can create epidemics on a global level.

So the next time you hear the wing-induced signature buzzing of the mosquito, keep your swatter ready and your bug zappers on. They might be smaller than you and slower than you, but they are also trickier than you. So don’t give up and Happy Swatting!