In Cyprus, mosquito bites during the summer are more than just inconvenient, and a recent scientific study reveals just why some people are more alluring to mosquitoes than others.
According to one notion, type O blood was favoured by most mosquitoes over other blood types, however scientific investigation over the years has produced contradicting results.
In reality, the Pfizer-sponsored study shows that a number of factors, including the colour of your clothing and the microbiota on your skin, may make you more appealing to mosquitoes.
Particularly, mosquitoes appear to find red, orange, and black to be particularly alluring. But in the end, our natural body odour and heredity account for a large portion of the difference in mosquito preference.
Only the female mosquitoes bite humans, and they do it for practical reasons. They do it to obtain a “blood meal,” using the blood’s proteins to create their eggs.
You may not be able to alter the genetic components that make you more attractive to mosquitoes, but there are things you can do to lessen your risk of getting bitten.
Disease control and preventive organisations advise wearing shirts and long trousers, especially those made of materials treated with the insect repellant 0.5% permethrin, whether you are a mosquito magnet or only get bitten sometimes.
Applying insect repellents that include chemicals like oil of lemon eucalyptus is another option.
Installing window screens, keeping doors closed, utilising air conditioning during the warmer months, and getting rid of standing water in buckets, birdbaths, and flower pots are other ways to manage mosquitoes both indoors and outside.