Do mosquitos LOVE you? Here’s why
Folks, I love this time of year.
The weather is warm… the days are longer…
But there’s one thing I CAN’T STAND about this time of year…
MOSQUITOS!
I love being outside, but those little buggers latch on to me like nobody’s business…
And meanwhile, I have friends that mosquitos don’t seem to care about at all!
Well, if you’re like me and have wondered why mosquitos are attracted to you, a new study may have identified the method to their madness…
A new study published in the journal, iScience, identified a connection between mosquitos and “certain” people…
SOAP!
That’s right… if you’re constantly swatting at mosquitos this time of year, it might boil down to the soap you’re using.
The study determined that because mosquitoes use plant-emitted volatiles to find nectar, adding fragrance — particularly when many fragrances in soaps are plant-based or flower-scented — could effect a person’s attractiveness to mosquitoes.
Now, there are a number of other factors too – like body odor and your skin’s pH profile. But it’s worth starting with the kind of soap you use.
The study found that when it comes to soap, coconut-scented soaps were some of the most effective at REPELLING mosquitoes.
If you’re thinking of swapping soaps, consider looking for organic options and those that are free of harsh chemicals. Most health food stores and even Amazon carry organic coconut soaps.
And of course, there’s bug spray. It’s effective at keeping mosquitos off of you… but many varieties contain DEET – which can cause skin irritation, and overexposure has even been linked to cancer.
Just like body soaps, you can find DEET-free insect repellants (which will be listed on the product label).
There are also landscaping services that offer mosquito spraying for your yard. If you’re considering that route, be sure to ask what chemicals they use, and ensure that they aren’t harmful to pets or any grandchildren who may play in your yard this summer.
To biting back against mosquitos,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
Gray, Dan. “Are mosquitoes attracted to you? Try using a different kind of soap.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/washing-with-different-soaps-could-make-you-more-or-less-attractive-to-mosquitoes
Cleveland Clinic. “Is DEET Bad for You (and Your Kids)?” https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-deet-bad-for-you-and-your-kids/
