Why Do Mosquitoes Always Bite Me?

You’re probably wondering, why do mosquitoes always bite some people more than others? Do mosquitoes have preferences when it comes to what or who they bite?

Despite the fact that mosquitoes are deemed as opportunistic feeders or will eat whatever they need to survive, there are few facts about mosquito bites you should know:

1. Only female mosquitoes bite. Our blood is rich in protein and other compounds which female mosquitoes need to help produce and develop their eggs.
2. There is no limit to the number of mosquito bites. A female mosquito will continue to bite and feed on blood until she is full.
3. Mosquitoes don’t only bite humans. There are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes throughout the world., some species exclusively feed on animals such as frogs, birds, rabbits, and other small mammals.

Below are some of the reasons why mosquitoes bite some people more than others.

Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is one of the main ways in which mosquitoes locate their next feast. They use a special organ called a maxillary palp to follow the smell of carbon dioxide released from our breath. Thus, bigger people attract more mosquitoes because they produce higher carbon dioxide rather than others.

Mosquitoes can detect heat and sweat

Besides carbon dioxide, mosquitoes are attracted to the human body heat and the scent of human sweat. They can detect the heat and sweat through the lactic acid on the victim’s skins. This is the reason why mosquito commonly bites people who have just exercised.

Mosquitoes are attracted to skin bacteria

Skin bacteria may have lured in the hungry mosquitoes. This may explain why these mosquitoes are attracted to bite part of the body around the ankle feet, which are usually create unique odours caused by active bacteria.

Mosquitoes are attracted to darker colours

It is believed that darker clothes such as navy, blue, black and red will encourage more visibility and attract more mosquitoes than lighter colour clothes.

How to get rid of mosquitoes

The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to prevent mosquitoes themselves. Eliminating the source of the problem will drastically reduce the possibility of getting bitten by a mosquito. The following items will also aid in getting rid of mosquitoes:

• Mosquito traps: Installing mosquito traps and zappers will help keep these biting insects away
• Remove standing water: Mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in stagnant water. Eliminating the potential breeding sites from your property will make it less appealing to mosquitoes.
• Contacting a professional mosquito exterminator: become the most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes. The range of mosquito services and solutions they can offer will help keep mosquitoes away and reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

Looking for help with a mosquito problem? Contact Rentokil today.