8 Things That Attract Mosquitoes – Don’t Be A Mosquito Magnet

[Sentry18]

I hate those blood sucking parasites. I this time I am not referring to Nancy Pelosi and friends.

8 Things That Attract Mosquitoes – Don’t Be A Mosquito Magnet
by Ken Jorgustin | Updated Jun 26, 2020 | Published Jun 15, 2020 | HEALTH | 161 comments



Mosquitoes are not equal opportunity biters! Whether out in the woods, camping, hiking, or at home in the backyard, some people seem to actually attract mosquitoes! They are constantly bit while others not so much. Why is that?
(UPDATED 2020)
I first posted this article during 2013. It has been popular on search-engines every since. It’s that time of year once again (mosquito season), so I’m re-publishing for your information.

WHAT ATTRACTS MOSQUITOES?
Avoid these things:

1. Dark Colors
Wearing dark clothes will attract mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can see and use their vision to locate targets from a distance. Most of their day-to-day targets will be found in the shade or within foliage, so they are naturally attracted to dark colors. This means that they will be more attracted to people wearing dark clothing than people wearing light clothing. Ask me how I know this!
Tip: I’m not kidding, this is what I use, it’s better, safer than DEET in my opinion! Reviewed by Consumer Reports in its list of safe insect repellents, effective up 14 hours!
20% Picaridin Lotion
No smell! Not as ‘greasy’ as DEET spray:
20% Picaridin Spray

2. Fragrances
Are mosquitoes attracted to perfume? Yes, fragrances are known to attract mosquitoes. Avoid perfume, cologne, perfumed shampoos, hand creams, soaps, fabric softeners, detergent, etc. Switch to as many unscented products as you can during the summer to avoid the mosquito bite.

3. Movement
Moving around will attract mosquitoes. They can see their victims from within 30 feet by locating the changes in waves of light around them, caused by moving objects.
Tip: Extremely effective for on clothing, will not stain or damage clothes, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or outdoor gear, lasts up to 6 weeks (or 6 washings) :
Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Spray
Another tip! I spray Permethrin on my hat – really helps keep mosquitoes from biting my head area. I also spray my clothes if working outdoors while mosquitoes are biting.

4. Sweat
Perspiring will attract mosquitoes because they need water to reproduce, and they are naturally attracted to areas with higher humidity levels. This includes people who are sweating. Perspiration will also dilute any mosquito repellents that you might have applied; making you more attractive to mosquitoes.

5. Carbon Dioxide
Your breathing! This is a big attractant – maybe the biggest. Your exhaled breath will attract mosquitoes big time. Mosquitoes are attracted by areas that are higher in carbon dioxide (living-breathing animals, humans). I’ve read that a mosquito can ‘see’ carbon dioxide from 200 yards away!
Tip: Natural insect repellent, effective up to 6 hours:
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent

6. Body Heat
Mosquitoes have sophisticated heat sensors. They will be attracted to circulating blood in animals and humans – their heat. They follow body heat and exhaled gases and fly to their target!

7. Lactic Acid
It’s produced by our bodies after we exercise or after we eat certain types of food that are high in salt or potassium. Someone who is sitting outside eating pretzels and a banana will attract more mosquitoes than someone who is sitting outside eating watermelon.
Exercising causes your body to do three things that will make it attract mosquitoes. You are breathing harder, meaning you are exhaling more carbon dioxide; you are sweating, which increases the humidity around your body; and you are releasing more lactic acid. You might as well be wearing a neon sign asking all mosquitoes to bite you.

8. Urine
Does urine attract mosquitoes? Yes, urine attracts mosquitoes. Take care of this business further away from your camp (for example)…

https://modernsurvivalblog.com/health/8-things-that-attract-mosquitoes/

 

[Morgan101]

I am a mosquito magnet, so this is all good advice for me. Really not sure how to handle the no sweating and no breathing thing.

 

[Sentry18]

I am a mosquito magnet, so this is all good advice for me. Really not sure how to handle the no sweating and no breathing thing.

Maybe the real trick is to invite someone over who is a BIGGER magnet than you.

 

[Morgan101]

Maybe the real trick is to invite someone over who is a BIGGER magnet than you.

Definitely a good idea, but that is a really difficult person to find. I would have a better chance of seeing God.

 

[Bacpacker]

I'm out of luck. When I'm out working I am a heavy sweater.

 

[Supervisor42]

I'm out of luck. When I'm out working I am a heavy sweater.

I just stay indoors in the A/C .
...and wait for the mosquito-spray truck to pass.
I don't know what they spray, but it kills every damn one of them!

If you go out in the swamp down here, mosquitos will drain you and carry you off.

 

[snappy1]

I don't know what they spray, but it kills every damn one of them!

Unfortunately, it killed my last schnauzer also. Up here, they wait until Fall to spray. We shut everything up as soon as we saw them but it was too late. Never understood why they spray in Fall when it cools off. He was prone to seizures and most chemicals set it off. I miss my Buddy Boy!

Whatever they spray sure works though.

 

[Sentry18]

That's so sad.

They spray here too but not in the fall. Usually right before the 4th of July and always at in the middle of the night, like 1am-4am.

 

[Cnsper]

Definitely a good idea, but that is a really difficult person to find. I would have a better chance of seeing God.

Haha, I have one, my brother.