While summer is many people’s favorite season, our time spent at the beach, the pool, at events outdoors and barbecues can all be hindered by our friend the mosquito. No one likes to be bit over and over again. It can really bug you.
While bug spray may keep the bugs off, they are not all that healthy for you. Have you ever noticed that you seem to have that one friend in every group who just simply doesn’t get bit? Meanwhile, you are scratching yourself silly?
It makes you question “What am I doing wrong? Or am I really ‘just that tasty’”? It’s frustrating!
Let’s take a look at what makes someone a mosquito magnet.
What Do Mosquitos Like in a Human?
First: A factor that you can not control is the core basic fact that blood type O makes you the tastiest snack around. Research has found that type O blood is 2x as desirable as any other blood type. On the flip side, if you happen to be type A? You are likely safe.
Second: Your blood now has alcohol in it. Alcohol boost metabolism. When your metabolism is boosted you output more CO2. They are most attracted to beer drinkers.
Third: You are athletic. Lactic acid is high on the chart for mosquitos. Avoid going outside within an hour of working out hard.
Fourth: Pregnancy. Again, CO2 is the factor here. Pregnant women emit more CO2 than most.
Fifth: Dark or Bright Clothing. If you are in high contrast to your background environment, they see you. I know it sounds silly, but if you wear light colors that blend in with the sky, they miss you.
What if you fall into several of those categories, making you prime for mosquito attacks?
Repel them Anyway!
What they hate
Eat garlic, onions, or chili peppers – they hate it!
Wear light thick material for clothing. Bites can only pierce so deeply and as we mentioned above, the light fabric is like camouflage to them.
Shower before going out. Mosquitos love the smell of sweat. They don’t love clean skin nearly as much.
Use bug spray and avoid thickly populated mosquito hangouts such as water’s edge areas and wooded spaces.
Knowing what mosquitos are looking for is key to helping avoid the little buggers.
We hope this makes your summer more pleasant.
More interesting health information can be found at www.drkasters.com