It is official- humans can never escape mosquitoes. They seem to follow us wherever we go and bug us with their irritating bites and itches.
But do mosquitoes follow us out of habit, or is there something about humans that makes us irresistible to them? Let’s explore this interesting topic to find out more about these minute irritating creatures.
The Science Behind The Attraction
Scientists have proved that mosquitoes have a powerful sense of smell, allowing them to detect more human signals, such as body heat and sweat. Most of all, they are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale!
Every time we breathe out, we emit carbon dioxide that mosquitoes can sense even if they are meters away. Their nerves are fine-tuned to detect multiple scents, so once they get closer to their prey, other factors such as skin oils, odor, body heat, scents, and even our metabolism assist them in detecting the human with precision.
Why Are Humans Irresistible To Mosquitoes?
Studies show mosquitoes have built-in workarounds to ensure they can always find their prey. The cocktail of smells humans produce is something the mosquitoes can’t resist. Sadly, there is no escape from these tiny but mighty creatures.
Fascinatingly, scientists have tried to block the mosquito’s ability to smell, hoping this would stop them from tracking human beings. Unfortunately, most attempts so far have failed miserably because mosquitoes have a clever way of tracking humans and can utilize various other cues if one is blocked. That is why mosquito liquids and oils don’t work; while they attempt to mask the human scent, these clever bloodsuckers still manage to find us through other factors, such as body heat.
So Why the Hassle?
When you think of a deadly animal, it’s mostly a lion, snake, or shark that comes to your mind. But did you know mosquitoes are the most lethal species in the animal kingdom? At least that’s what science and data say!
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Getting rid of these pesky pests is important because they cause many health and lifestyle-related problems. One of the main reasons that they are so deadly is that they spread severe diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika, which can make people very sick and, in some cases, even result in death.
Malaria kills 608,000 people a year and infects more than 269 million people a year. When an infected person gets bitten by a mosquito, they become carriers of the virus, which they then pass on to the next person they bite.
Mosquitoes also give people itchy bites that can be really uncomfortable, and scratching them can lead to infections, making things even worse. These nippers are also very good at multiplying quickly, so their numbers can grow fast if we don’t control them. This makes spending time outdoors difficult, which can exacerbate another global issue of late—a decrease in physical activity, leading to a plethora of other health issues.
A Feminine Touch
Not all mosquitoes bite! Yes, you read that right.
Only the female mosquitoes bite, and they do this for a purpose. Female mosquitoes need protein to produce eggs; they get this only through blood. So, they suck the blood of humans and other animals to get a sufficient amount of protein to increase their breed. On the other hand, the role of the male mosquito is to produce nectar. Male mosquitoes can’t bite because they don’t have the parts of the mouth that can pierce through the skin.
Who is the Mosquito’s Favorite Snack? It Might Be You
Do you often complain about getting bitten while someone near you seems unfazed? You seem to get those bumps and redness more often than others in the same household. Here’s an interesting fact—mosquitoes may prefer biting you over your sister or friend, even though you’re both in the same space. It’s not just your imagination playing tricks on you; you really may be a favorite!
According to reports, some people are mosquito magnets. They attract mosquitoes quite often and, therefore, are bitten by them more consistently than others. There are several reasons why this may be. Research indicates that these blood-suckers may prefer those with blood type O. Furthermore, people with a high metabolic rate or those who produce more carbon dioxide through heavy breathing, have higher body temperatures, or produce more sweat (such as those who exercise often or are pregnant) can also be targets. Genetics also seems to play role when mosquitoes go shopping for victims.
Conclusion
Even though these creatures are small, they don’t look as tiny as they seem under a microscope. A mosquito’s egg might seem like a little dark speck to the naked eye, but it appears much more prominent and rounder under a microscope, almost comparable to a cucumber.
Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to reduce mosquito breeding in our environment—like cleaning up standing water where they breed, using nets, keeping your yard clean, and wearing repellents. Still, you and I may have to come to terms with the fact that we can never escape mosquitoes entirely!
The next time you are swatting away a mosquito, remember you are its perfect target! And while you may not be able to avoid them, at least you can be satisfied knowing you’re part of nature’s grand design!
