This is why Georgia mosquitoes target you more, according to experts
Georgia is home to at least 63 different mosquito species thanks to our diverse habitats and our humid climate, says the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension. If it feels like all 63 species seem to target you, you might be right.
There are some people who do actually have it worse than others and suffer more during the summer months. The news for these poor souls is mixed, according to an article in HuffPost.
There are some real factors that determine how attractive you are to them: some you can help and others you can’t.
The overall element is blood type. People with blood type O were nearly twice as likely to be stung than other blood types. The secretions you produce tip the critters off to your blood type, which draws them to you more than others.
Mosquitoes can smell you
These little pests are attracted to certain chemical compounds present in the human body and are attracted to people based on these factors:
The amount of carbon dioxide you expel. If you are a person with a higher metabolic rate, you produce more CO2 and signal yourself as a blood source.
The presence of lactic acid is also an attractant. It is released through the skin during physical exertion (like yard work or exercising), allowing the mosquitoes to target you.
Mosquitoes can see you
The little critters have excellent vision, even though they mostly fly close to the ground to avoid the wind, and can contrast you to the horizon. How you’re dressed matters.
If you have on darker-colored clothes, the bugs are more likely to bite you because you’ll stand out from the horizon, whereas lighter clothes help camouflage.
Mosquitoes can feel you
Body heat is a significant factor and marker for mosquito bites. This has a lot to do with genetic or physiological differences from human to human. Some people just run a little hotter, so the blood is closer to the skin and harder to resist for a mosquito.
There are some things that can make a body more mosquito-friendly:
More physical activity
Being pregnant or overweight
Consuming alcohol - studies show that just one can of beer can put you at higher risk for bites
Time of day - dusk seems to be the worst time for mosquito bites.
Also, there are some fairly random things that increase the risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes:
Being a twin
Sweating a lot
Eating bananas
Having a sweet tooth
So, the old wives’ tale that suggests people who are sweeter are more likely to get bitten became an old wives’ tale for a reason.
What old wives’ tales did you hear growing up? Sound off in the comments, or email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
