Mosquitoes have the reputation as some of the peskiest annoyances in the summer, but they are also among the deadliest.
“A lot of people are blasé about mosquitoes,” Janis Reed, an entomology correspondent for Mosquito Squad, said. “They’ll smack it on their leg and move on, but it’s important to protect yourself and that doesn’t mean just using a repellent, it’s also important to follow other steps.”
10 PHOTOSMosquito MythsSee GalleryMosquito Myths
Myth No.1: Illnesses from mosquitoes aren’t that big of a deal in the United States
Illnesses from mosquito, tick and flea bites have actually tripled in the U.S. over the last 13 years, according to a new report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were more than 640,000 cases reported between 2004 and 2016. In addition, nine new germs spread by mosquitoes and ticks were discovered during this time in the United States.
Myth No. 2: Every mosquito could bite you
Only female mosquitoes bite humans because they need nutrients in the blood to produce eggs. Male mosquitoes actually only eat plant matter.
Myth No. 3: Alcohol does not affect your attractiveness to a mosquito
Some small, early studies have shown that consuming a few beers can make you a more appealing snack to a thirsty mosquito. One study showed that consuming just 12 ounces of beer makes a person more likely to be bitten by a mosquito.
There is more research to be done on this topic to fully understand whether or not alcohol, and what type of alcohol, effects your attractiveness to a mosquito, according to Reed.
Myth No. 4: Mosquitoes bite people with sweet blood more often than others
The “taste” of one’s blood has nothing to do with if a mosquito bites your skin or not.
Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide from breath, heat from our bodies and the lactic acid that humans secrete.
Studies have shown that people with Type O blood are twice as likely to be bitten by mosquitoes than those with Type A blood, possibly due to a difference in lactic acid secretion, according to Reed. Research has not found a reason for this phenomenon, but has noticed this pattern over recent years.
While lactic acid can make a difference, it is not the only factor in what attracts a mosquito to you. Exercising and exerting yourself outdoors increases your attractiveness, according to Reed. As your body temperature increases, the amount of carbon dioxide you’re expelling also increases, making you more attractive to mosquitoes.
Myth No. 5: Citronella candles will completely protect you
Citronella is an ingredient that works to cover up or mask the chemicals that humans secrete that are attractive to mosquitoes.
According to Reed, the candles are only mildly effective. If a mosquito is close enough to your skin it will sense those chemicals despite if the candle is burning or not. These candles will work to keep mosquitoes away from the area, but have a very limited radius.
Citronella candles are most effective when used in enclosed patios and least effective if the wind is blowing strong.
Myth No. 6: All over-the-counter repellents work
While there are many products on the market, the bug sprays proven to be most effective are those that use diethyltoluamide (DEET), a pesticide geared towards protecting you from all sorts of bugs.
When using a DEET-based spray, you should use one that contains 50 percent of DEET or less. Health concerns, including skin and mucus membrane irritation, swarm DEET, but the chemical is non-toxic when used according to directions and provides the best protection against mosquitoes, according to Reed.
Reed recommends using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tool to be sure to find a repellent that will be effective in protecting yourself. Also, you can look for insect repellents with EPA-approved labeling that specifies protection against mosquitoes in general or Aedes mosquitoes in particular.
Myth No. 7: What you wear doesn’t affect your attractiveness to mosquitoes
Researchers have declared that mosquitoes are most attracted to colors that are the most similar to animals that the insects usually prey upon, which are large, dark-colored mammals.
In order to minimize chances on getting bit by a mosquito, Janis recommends wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Mosquitoes are less attracted to light-colored clothing and the loose-fitting clothing will make it more difficult for biting females to reach your skin through the clothing.
Myth No. 8: Being pregnant makes you a mosquito magnet
Researchers think that because pregnant women give off more carbon dioxide, which is attractive to mosquitoes, that pregnant women may be more likely to get bit.
A study published in 2000 stated that pregnant women are at an increased risk for being bitten by a mosquito, but used a small sample as a test. Ultimately, more research is needed to determine whether or not pregnant women actually have a higher risk of being bitten by a mosquito. Regardless, pregnant women should take extra precautions to avoid mosquitoes in order to evade potential mosquito-borne illnesses.
Myth No. 9: A mosquito dies after it bites you
Unlike some bees, a mosquito does not die after interacting with your skin. Some bees will die after stinging you, but mosquitoes typically bite many times. After a female mosquito bites you she will go off to lay eggs and eventually will be back for more nutrients.
Myth No. 10: Mosquitoes are present all over the world
Mosquitoes have been observed in places as far north as the Arctic tundra and Siberia during the short summers, but have never been found in Antarctica.
The species of mosquitoes that carries Zika, the Aedes species, are not typically found at elevations higher than 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). Many places in South America are so high above sea level that the risk of getting Zika is "minimal," according to the CDC. Locations such as Bogotá, Colombia, and Quito, Ecuador, are popular travel destinations where people can escape these mosquitoes.
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Other steps include using a fan to keep air moving, which will keep mosquitoes off your skin. A medium speed fan is fast enough to keep mosquitoes from flying around you, according to Reed. Using a fan is just one mosquito fact that many people are unfamiliar with. Here are 10 myths and their accompanying truths according to experts with Mosquito Squad.
RELATED: Foods that make you tastier to mosquitoes 10 PHOTOS9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes See Gallery9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes
Learn which 9 foods make you more appetizing to mosquitos!
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Beer
What’s a cookout without a cold one (or two)? There’s always a cooler full to the brim with ice-cold beers at backyard barbeques. A few Heinekens can give you a buzz, but even a single beer can make you a target for mosquitos. Scientists are not exactly sure why mosquitos go for beer drinkers, but they don’t think it has anything to do with the increase in ethanol in the bloodstream or the heightened body temperature caused by beer consumption. Like us humans, mosquitos may just like the taste of a good brew.
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Potassium-rich foods
Bloodsucking mosquitos are extremely attracted to lactic acid. Too bad lactic acid is constantly naturally released by our bodies, making us prime snacks. Eating potassium-rich foods, however, increases the amount of lactic acid you give off through your skin. Bananas, potatoes, prunes, raisins, lima beans, avocados, and spinach are full of potassium, so snacking on these makes you even tastier to the invasive insects. Well, there goes guacamole!
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Salty Snacks
Wiping salty potato chip crumbs on bright beach towels or on denim cutoffs while enjoying the sun is a typical summertime occurrence. Little did you know, eating a high-sodium diet also increases the amount of lactic acid you produce, and more lactic acid means more mosquito bites. Filling up on salty snacks like crispy chips, hot curly fries, roasted peanuts, or even that bacon on your burger, will make you that much more delicious to mosquitos.
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Sweets
Often picnic tables are piled high with tart cherry pies, melty ice cream cakes and sugary candies to celebrate summer. As much as we love these tasty desserts and sweet things, they have a saccharine aroma that is very attractive to most animals, mosquitos included. Not only will the sweets attract sweet–toothed friends and family, they will also act as magnets for bugs and mosquitos.
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Alcohol
A refreshing cocktail or mixed drink will definitely cool you down at an outdoor gathering, but scientists think those who drink alcohol are more likely to attract mosquitos. Not only are they sweet-smelling beverages, the alcohol increases your body temperature, which makes you a target for the little blood-suckers because they are drawn to people with warmer blood. A frozen daiquiri or white sangria sounds super good — until a pesky mosquito bites you.
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High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is not only a health hazard, but having a higher level of cholesterol in your blood increases your appeal to mosquitos. It is always important to lower your bad cholesterol if it is too high and recommended by your doctor. Eating more fruits and veggies, and opting for lean meats can help to lower cholesterol levels. Just think of it as killing two birds with one stone.
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Limburger Cheese
Chomping on Limburger cheese will transform you into a gigantic neon “Eat Me” sign for mosquitos. This variety of cheese is made with the same bacteria that cause feet to stink. This is a super bonus for mosquitos because they love smelly feet. Well that stinks!
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Pickled Vegetables
Picture a perfectly charred hot dog crowned with a heavy dose of tangy sauerkraut, tasty ketchup, and sweet pickle relish. But that sauerkraut and pickle relish can be your downfall. Pickled veggies contain lactic acid, therefore they attract those dreaded mosquitos. Kimchi is another condiment that makes human blood a little sweeter to mosquitos. Maybe a bare hot dog doesn’t taste as bad as itchy bites feel.
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Dairy Products
So many delectable summer favorites, like sweet strawberry ice cream, coconut froyo, delicious Redi-Whip, and layered parfaits, are dairy-based. Unfortunately, these desserts and other dairy goods cause the body to produce lactic acid, which reels in the mosquitos. Guess that means we’ll have eat our ice cream inside to avoid those biting bugs.
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