Bitten by Mosquitoes At Your Al fresco Dining?

Bitten by Mosquitoes at your Al fresco Dining? Settling down for your dinner date tonight in an outdoor area, you immerse yourself in the surrounding greens and blue water, feeling totally relaxed and in the right mood. The sunset glows in the distance away, you feel nothing but warmth and excitement to kick start a great evening with your date. Holding up the red wine glass ready to make a toast, you hear the buzzing sound. Then you see swarms of mosquitoes coming your way, attacking you in every uncovered spot of your warm body.

Besides wondering in exasperation why you always get bitten at Al fresco dining, now you also have to put down that wine glass and reach out to the itchy bitten spots and scratch…

Only female mosquitoes bite to take in protein for reproduction

Counting on the fact that only female mosquitoes bite, and they bite all humans regardless you being a male or female (and not because you are have sweeter blood or anything like that), here are some common myths surrounding mosquito bites and to address why do you always get bitten by mosquitoes.

Myth: Only people with sweet blood get bitten by mosquitoes.

Fact: Hang on! Did you just say sweet blood? Really? There are a few reasons why you get bitten more than the rest yet definitely, this is not the case of having a sweeter blood. Mosquitoes are attracted to people whose bodies are relatively warmer, and who give out a higher level of carbon dioxide.

An easy prey to locate would be someone just done with his or her exercising activity.

In general, mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide that we give out, body odour, heat, movement and contrast.

Learn more here with Top 5 Reasons Why Mosquito Bites

Myth: I'm bitten by a mosquito with white-striped legs. I’m going to get dengue.

Fact: Many of us are educated on how to identify that one and only type of mosquito species guilty of carrying the dengue virus- the Aedes mosquito. The Aedes mosquito as many of you would have known by now is easily identified by its legs with white stripes. They are capable of spreading the dengue virus to humans and cause dengue fever to develop. That is, only if the Aedes mosquito is infected. Not all mosquitoes are infected with the dengue virus.

And how does an Aedes mosquito get infected? It is when they bite someone with dengue virus, they go on to bite another healthy individual and infect him/her. Therefore, it is important and vital not to let yourself get bitten by a mosquito again should you be diagnosed with dengue fever. Helping to break the dengue cycle is everyone’s social responsibility.

Myth: If I get rid of all the adult flying mosquitoes, I am definitely safe now.

Fact: Did you know? Female mosquitoes lay about 30 to 300 eggs at one time! Mosquito eggs can lay dormant in dry conditions for up to around 9 months. Then they will hatch by themselves when conditions are favorable again when a wet and warm weather sets in.

A comprehensive mosquito control program not only covers removing the adult mosquitoes, it also tackles the problem of mosquito larvae and eggs. Breeding sources such as stagnant water, ponds and water features can be managed with environmentally-friendly mosquito control.    

Myth: If I cover myself with a lemongrass spray or something, mosquitoes would not bite me.

Fact: The mosquito lemongrass local myth is a most common topic often talked about in Singapore.

Get your true answer here on Is Lemongrass the Most Effective Mosquito Repellent?

Mosquito control should not be limited outdoors.

Do you know, mosquitoes are often found in your homes as well? Adult mosquitoes can either fly in through windows and openings or you could accidentally breed them by leaving traces of stagnant water. Mosquitoes should be controlled both indoors and outdoors, covering their entire life stages.

Quell your myths surrounding mosquitoes today, get to know them more and you can work your way to become a less likely victim of mosquito bites in your next Al fresco dining. Enjoy your dinner!