With the arrival of summer, the mosquitoes again bother many people’s nights, leaving a trail of bites and discomfort. But why are some more chopped than others? According to science there are several factors that explain this preference of mosquitoes.
Among the main reasons are differences in blood type, body smell, the amount of carbon dioxide that each person exudes and even the colors of the clothes we wear
The role of carbon dioxide, lactic acid and body smell
According to HuffPost, mosquitoes locate their victims mainly through the carbon dioxide we release when breathing.
Thus, adults and pregnant women who emit more of this gas are more targeted. In addition, the lactic acid produced by the skin, especially in higher people, increases the attraction of these insects.
Body odor is another important factor. Research from the London Hygiene and Tropical Medicine School, led by Professor James Logan, show that the bacteria present in the skin interact with natural compounds.
These interactions produce aromas that can attract or push mosquitoes away, explaining why some people are more bitten than others.
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Influence of blood type and colors of clothing
A study published in 2004 in the Journal of Medical Entomology By Robert Kearney and Richard Edman reveals that people with type O blood are bites twice as much as with type A blood.
The type B blood group is located in an intermediate position in terms of susceptibility to mosquito bites.
This data helps to explain the differences in the frequency of bites between individuals.
In addition, the color of clothing has an impact on mosquito behavior.
HuffPost indicates that mosquitoes are more attracted to dark tones such as black and red, while light colors such as yellow and green tend to push them away.
Mosquito behavior and environmental factors
Although there are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes, only about 200 feed on human blood, according to the same source.
Being close to other people can reduce the chances of being chopped, as the multiplicity of odors and carbon dioxide confuses mosquitoes.
Therefore, some people can escape the bites even in infested areas.
With increasing temperature, the activity of these insects intensifies, becoming a nuisance mainly during hot nights, when the windows and doors remain open.
According to the mosquitoes prefer to chop zones where the skin is thinner and where they feel the highest heat, such as feet and ankles, which are more common areas for bites.
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