Are Some People Mosquito Magnets? [Forum Archive]

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Are Some People Mosquito Magnets?

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Posted by: min0 lee

Fact or Fiction: Why Some People Are Mosquito Magnets | Newsweek Fact or Fiction | Newsweek.com

After this weekend's barbeques and fireworks displays, you might wonder why some people wind up covered in mosquito welts and others are bite-free. It's not a coincidence. Each person's individual body chemistry determines how many mosquitoes will come calling.
According to Joe Conlon, a medical entomologist who advises the American Mosquito Control Association, the insects can detect their targets from nearly 100 feet away. But what are they seeking? Mostly the scent of carbon dioxide and lactic acid, two compounds that indicate to the hematophagous — or blood-sucking — pests that their next landing pad is nearby. (It's worth noting that when a female mosquito latches on to you, she's not looking for food; instead, she sucks out blood to help fertilize her eggs... that's why males don't "bite").
Carbon dioxide and lactic acid are released whenever we breathe or sweat, but the emission rates vary by person. Larger people and pregnant woman, for example, have higher levels and are more likely targets. According to Susan Peskewitz, a mosquito researcher and entomology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the scents of these compounds coupled with body heat are the biggest attractors. So if you've recently exercised, watch out: the combination of lactic acid (which builds up when muscles are exerted), sweat filled with carbon dioxide, and an increased temperature make you an ideal host.

With more than 300 bodily compounds that influence insect attraction, scientists haven't figured out every body chemistry combination that the bugs like. They're also not sure whether perfumes or floral smells affect attraction. But because mosquitoes drink dew, they may have a preference for artificially sweet-scented bodies. Some research has also shown they prefer landing on darker fabrics than light ones, so stay away from black or blue clothing and make sure your shirt isn't too tight; if it is, the insects will siphon right through it.
In the end, you can't change your body chemistry. But you can wear one of four Centers for Disease Control approved repellents. Sprays and lotions including DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535 (which has made Avon's Skin-so-Soft lotion a popular choice) have all been deemed effective and safe to keep the bugs at bay. But don't apply them near your eyes, ears, nose and mouth, or you'll have much more than itchy mosquito bites to worry about.
© 2008

Posted by: goob

I've always wondered why some people are bitten more than others. I get hit up pretty bad sometimes and it pisses me off.

Pail skin seems to be a factor, as darker skins don't seem to be bitten as bad, as I 've found in the past.

Posted by: BulkMeUp

Quote:

Originally Posted by goob

Pail skin seems to be a factor, as darker skins don't seem to be bitten as bad, as I 've found in the past.

seems that way because it is just more noticeable, maybe?

Posted by: goob

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulkMeUp

seems that way because it is just more noticeable, maybe?

Just the people I know that have pail skin always comlain about being bitten more.

Maybe something in it.

Posted by: TCAP28

I wonder if your diet has anything to do with it???

Posted by: Mista

My gf is pale and gets bitten often. I'm pretty pale and never get bitten.

Posted by: Witchblade

I'm pretty dark skinned and piranhas don't bite a bloody carcass as often as mosquitoes bite me. I'm talking Book of World Records shit here. I was covered with, literally, over 60 bites on my vacation in France. I've got 50% DEET mosquito repellent. People use that in the tropics. All it does for me is relocate the bites. I cover my entire body except my left index finger, I get bitten in my left index finger.

Interesting article. My body is very warm (I'm hot!) so that fits the theory.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchblade

Interesting article. My body is very warm (I'm hot!) so that fits the theory.

Same here, I sweat faster than other people.

I never knew you were Black.

Posted by: Witchblade

Yeah, I sweat really fast too. You should see me in the gym, I'm soaked. Almost like I took a shower with my clothes on when I do intense cardio in the heat.

I'm not black BTW, just naturally pretty tanned and I tan easily. 'Dark skinned' was a bit of a misnomer I guess. 'tanned' is better. The Spanish blood running in my family's bloodline is visible. People often say I don't look Dutch. I've been called Maroccan, Asian and Spanish numerous times.

Posted by: armastevs

thats very true, every person releases different pharamones and the mosquitos go to the person who has the best smelling ones to them

Posted by: Little Wing

on the other hand bugs don't bite me often so when they do i react terribly. a fly bite looks like a bee stung me.

Posted by: Hoglander

I get bites as much or more than anyone. I just don't react to the bites with itchy welts like some do.

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