6 Ways to Avoid Being a Mosquito’s Dinner
Don’t be a hyperactive old dirty obese beer drinker with Type O blood sporting dark-colored swag.
Seriously though, there was a research study that found that 20% of people have the propensity for Mosquitoes Bites. This was linked to a person’s blood type and genetics, among other things. In addition, mosquitoes are attracted to certain body odors, body temperature and even clothing color.
Mosquito bites are annoying and itchy but, most importantly, they transmit serious and life-threatening Illnesses like the Zika virus, yellow fever and malaria. In fact, the World Health Organization reported 429,000 malaria deaths in 2015 and the National Institute of Health reported 1 million deaths annually. You may be at risk if you live in or travel to areas known to harbor disease-carrying mosquitos.
Tips to Avoid Being a Mosquito Magnet
When genetics and other factors for which you have no control are at play, it can difficult to avoid mosquito bites. There are many reasons why mosquitoes might be attracted to you but here are a few tips that might help you to avoid being a mosquito magnet:
Tip 1: Never Grow Up for Skeeter’s Sake!
Some studies have found that Mosquitoes Detect People who emit higher levels of carbon dioxide. This is common in people with a high metabolism or are overweight, as well as pregnant women. Kids emit smaller amounts of carbon dioxide so they get bitten less frequently than adults.
My Recommendation: If you’re overweight, you can workout but let it be known that mosquitoes are attracted to lactic acid produced by your body when exercising. If you have a high metabolism, you may just have to wear a gas mask. If you’re old, maybe someone will find the fountain of youth before it’s too late.
Tip 2: Don’t Stay Thirsty, My Friend
Mosquitoes are also attracted to warm bodies and it’s speculated that having a cold brewsky makes you warmer. It’s also believed – but yet to be proven – that ethanol in beer attracts mosquitos. Either way, ncbi research shows that you’re more likely to get bitten if you drink beer.
My Recommendation: You probably love your beer, so it’s probably best to stay inside of your man cave. Otherwise, sideline it just like the Most Interesting Man in the World. (Beer tastes nasty anyway, IMO!)
Tip 3: Be a Type A
A Pubmed research study found that, of all blood types, people with Type O were twice as likely to attract mosquitoes than Type A. Type B was moderately attractive. It’s believed that certain blood types emit different chemicals that mosquitoes can sense.
My Recommendation: If you’re Type A like me, you’re in luck (unless you travel to the rain forests of Belize or the savannahs of Guyana – I literally got “to’ up from da flo’ up”)…or, you could opt for a Bone Marrow Transplant.
Tip 4: Revoke Your Man Card
In addition to body odors, mosquitoes are attracted to certain colors and movement. If you wear clothes that are dark blue, red or black and you can never sit still, you might be setting yourself up as a moving mosquito target. They have good aim!
My Recommendation: I hate to say it but, I’d suggest revoking your ManCard and going for whitey-whites and pastels. Besides, real men wear pink, right?
Tip 5:Rub a Dub Dub
Our bodies are naturally covered with all kinds of microorganisms that make up the skin microbiome. Although mites are the creepiest, it’s actually certain types of bacteria that you need to worry about. Mosquitoes are drawn to you if you’re covered with a select few types of bacteria, which are most often found around the ankles.
My Recommendation: If you have large numbers of different bacteria on your skin, you’ll actually repel mosquitoes. To be on the safe side, I’d stock up on antibacterial soap and wear knee socks.
Tip 6: Make Yourself Unpalatable
Well, dousing yourself and clothes with mosquito repellant is the obvious deterrent.DEET is typically considered to be the most effective way to stop mosquito bites, although they may still land on you. Repellants containing picaridin has been found to be the Best Way To Keep Mosquitoes From Biting and coming near you. Permethrin can be applied to clothing and lasts through multiple washes (as many as 25).
My Recommendation: Unfortunately, researchers have also found that mosquitoes are able to become Immune to DEET After Just a Few Hours of Exposure.Not sure about picaridin. For a chemical-free, eco-friendly and long-lasting approach, oil of lemon eucalyptus works wonders. It’s a great stain remover for clothes too.
So… depending on where you stand for all factors related to being a mosquito magnet (I only covered several of the most common ones), you just might be screwed!
Sorry.
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