How Mosquitoes Find You

Wouter

Hundreds of thousands of people die every year from mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous animals on Earth. They use multiple senses to find their prey.

They hunt by following carbon dioxide and heat, two universal attractants. But they also use body odor and sweat to locate their prey.

The female mosquito relies on three senses to find her blood meal. Her antennae pick up chemicals from the air, including hygric cues, lactic acid, and moisture. They can detect these at distances of up to 100 feet. She also uses her eyes to zoom in for a kill.

Some mosquito species have specialized in biting humans. They can find people within 15 feet to 50 feet and follow them up to 160 feet. They know where their meals are because they detect carbon dioxide in the air.

Aegypti mosquitoes, for instance, can smell human sweat and lactic acid. They also target humans by emitting specific chemicals. But what is the exact mechanism that draws them to us? And what can we do to keep mosquitoes away?

Some things you can do to repel mosquitoes are to wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt. Then you can also buy insect repellents with Picaridin or DEET. Both are common ingredients in many mosquito repellents. But they only work if they have the right active ingredient.

Lastly, you can reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes by exercising. Exercise is an excellent way to increase your body’s release of carbon dioxide.

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