In this article we will look at why mosquitoes bite some people more than others. And we will find out the criteria for their selection.
Mosquitoes can easily be called the most annoying insects in the world. Almost every second person among us has encountered them. A characteristic feature is a loud squeaking or buzzing, which often interferes with falling asleep at night or breathing fresh air in nature in the evening. But their bite is much worse. Moreover, a peculiarity has been noticed that insects love some people and bite them more often than others present. Therefore, we propose to understand this fascinating topic.
Why mosquitoes don’t bite everyone: a little about gender
A mosquito bite is something that sooner or later every resident of our latitudes will encounter with the onset of cool summer evenings. Everyone knows that mosquitoes are carriers of many dangerous diseases such as malaria, fever or tularemia. If previously these diseases were common only in exotic hot countries, today outbreaks of infections are increasingly occurring on our continent.
Important: According to medical statistics, about 40% of people suffer from allergies to mosquito bites. The reason the body reacts to a mosquito bite may be a weakened immune system. When an insect stings a person, substances are released along with saliva that, at the molecular level, prevent protein coagulation in the blood and block pain.
Before finding out mosquito preferences for the object of vinegar, it is worth finding out who the mosquito actually bites. After all, as we know, in the natural world, sexual differences play a significant role in behavior.
- A mature female mosquito lives from one and a half weeks to three months. At the first cold snap, mosquitoes die. In addition to blood, the sap and pollen of plants remains a necessary food product for the insect. If there is none in the apartment or house, the female dies after 3-4 days. Indoor flowers can significantly increase their lifespan and become an excellent wintering option.
- Being in an apartment, over time the mosquito does not disappear anywhere, but simply dies due to lack of food. Also, if the mosquito has managed to feed on blood and become fertilized, then the insect may well lay eggs in damp corners of the room, cellar or in the damp soil of even an indoor flower.
- Many people know that mosquitoes bite for a reason, but for a specific purpose. As a rule, it is the female mosquito that stings people. In order to feed their offspring. Male mosquitoes are more unpretentious in food and easily feed on plant sap, which is unacceptable for females.
- The amount of future offspring depends on the volume of blood consumed, since the female mosquito lays eggs every 3-4 days. And this increases the need for blood several times. In some possible situations, when a mosquito is not able to provide food to its offspring, its reproductive rate drops several times.
It's the female who bites
Bite process
The process of biting
Having made a soft landing on the surface of human skin, the mosquito lightly taps it with its proboscis, as if knocking on a door. A mosquito's proboscis looks more like a snout. Then, raising its hairy lip, the mosquito carefully thrusts its stiletto, which is hollow inside, into the skin. With its surgical instrument, the mosquito probes small veins and capillaries in search of blood. The process of saturating a mosquito with blood lasts less than a minute.
Interesting: Fleas - description, appearance, types, photos and videos
Before it starts sucking blood through a straw, the mosquito injects a special substance into the blood that prevents it from clotting (so that the blood does not clot while the mosquito is sucking it). A mosquito can ingest four times its own weight in blood. At the end of the bloody mosquito dinner, his stomach is incredibly swollen. If you watch a female eating lunch on your hand, then by the end of lunch the blood will show through the wall of the mosquito’s stomach. According to one zoologist, a blood-sucking mosquito looks like a red ball on a Christmas tree.
Fun fact: Only female mosquitoes bite.
Why some people are bitten more by mosquitoes: criteria for their selection
Scientists have proven the fact that mosquitoes do not sting everyone. There are many versions according to which blood-sucking insects select their victims.
- One of the possible options is a person's blood type . First of all, the female mosquito is interested in the protein itself, which is in the blood of a particular group. Mosquitoes are most often attracted to the first and third blood groups, while the second is not in demand.
- But there are also some nuances to this issue. The fact is that each blood is divided into two more subspecies, but according to Rhesus. So, mosquitoes choose a plus or positive Rh factor more often than a negative blood group. Even the one that is included in the so-called risk zone.
- There is also an assumption that mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that a person emits when he breathes. Based on this theory, the more often a person breathes, the higher the risk of getting a mosquito bite.
- , the smell of alcohol, especially beer, is considered very attractive . They are attracted not only by the smell of ethanol, but also by an increase in human body temperature. After all, blood dilates blood vessels. Drinking people also produce more carbon dioxide than teetotalers.
Important : Many have noticed how a female mosquito is attracted to the heat that comes from lighting fixtures. The insect strives to get out of the twilight as soon as possible and get to the illuminated area. There is a receptor on the mosquito's proboscis that can detect heat. Based on this, the ideal solution would be LED lamps that do not heat up, thereby becoming unattractive to mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes smell heat
- Therefore, even athletes or those involved in physical labor or sports are at risk. After all, this entails an increase in body warmth , which attracts the female. It is also worth noting a certain feature - blood-sucking insects cannot tolerate air temperatures of +27 °C or higher. Under such weather conditions, female mosquitoes cannot fully demonstrate their activity. Although in the summer sometimes this rule does not apply to them.
Mosquitoes even prefer dark and red things
How dangerous is mosquito vinegar for humans?
The danger with mosquito bites is that they can cause serious consequences, regardless of where they are located, such as on the face or legs.
Initially, the danger lies in the transmission of many infectious diseases, since they can infect a person:
- viruses;
- parasites;
- bacteria.
They can lead to the formation of:
- yellow fever;
- lymphatic filariasis;
- tuleramii;
- Dengue fever and more.
Most often, malaria is transmitted through the bites of such insects, but this is mainly typical for tropical climates and nearby areas.
The transfer process itself is very simple, since the mosquito must bite an infected person, and after that, upon contact with subsequent people, this same infection will occur.
Allergy from mosquito bite
Allergies are an equally serious danger from mosquito bites.
Initially, there is simply itching of the skin, which leads to involuntary scratching of the affected area of the skin.
This mostly happens to children because they cannot control their natural instincts.
If you scratch the bite too hard, serious and extremely negative consequences are possible. For example, dirt can get in and cause skin and even blood infections.
An allergy is a reaction of an organism that is hypersensitive. It occurs due to the ingestion of saliva, which can cause swelling, swelling and similar consequences.
In some cases, itching on the skin can turn into large blisters and swelling in just a few minutes.
It is not uncommon for children to experience such consequences as high fever, malaise, and even loss of consciousness.
If there is a predisposition to allergies, then this can even cause a tumor inside the body, and in completely different parts of it, but mainly in the area of the larynx and face, as well as anaphylactic shock.
Mosquito egg laying
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Who is chosen? It has long been a proven fact that mosquitoes do not bite everyone. They, like real gourmets, have their own preferences and passions. There are a number of assumptions according to which female mosquitoes can select their prey. One of them is blood type. After all, mosquitoes are interested in the protein that is in the blood of a certain group - and often we are talking about the first. Also, mosquitoes can be attracted to representatives with the third blood group, but these bloodsuckers like the second less. There is also a version that mosquitoes are attracted by the smell of carbon dioxide that a person exhales. So the more often you breathe, the greater the likelihood of getting a characteristic bite. It is believed that it is for this reason - more frequent breathing - that children are often targeted. Smells can also be interesting for mosquitoes - due to metabolism. The faster it is, the higher the blood temperature rises, the smell of acids - uric and lactic - becomes intense, and the aroma of ammonia and sweat increases. Mosquitoes really like all this. The smell of alcohol also makes a person an attractive victim. After all, not only the “aroma” of ethanol itself, but also the increase in body temperature against the background of its intake literally calls females for a snack. Pregnant women are also at risk. They also have a higher body temperature due to an increase in blood volume and acceleration of its flow through the vessels, which is why they breathe more often.
How to protect yourself from mosquito bites
The remedy for mosquito bites allows you to prevent all the consequences described above, and you can use many different methods.
With the onset of each season, medical experts strongly recommend taking measures to prevent situations such as mosquito bites.
There are two types of insect protection.
It could be:
- protection inside the house;
- use of special means on the street.
Basic moments:
- As for the place of residence or frequent stay, it is required to install mosquito nets on window and door openings, as well as on other openings that lead to the street.
- To add additional protection to a crib or stroller, you can use tulle or gauze stretched over the structure.
- Now on sale there is such a device as a special device that produces ultrasonic waves that kill insects. It is believed that it works harmlessly for humans, but it is considered especially dangerous for a mosquito, since when it comes within the range of the device, it immediately dies.
- There are devices that emit not only waves, but also substances that are transmitted by the mosquito to its fellow tribesmen, causing mass mortality.
- Such installations are used in completely different premises, both residential and public. The average operating area is 25m2.
- Among the innovations we can note the use of preparations such as spray, ointment and other compounds that can create not only a protective aura, but also a coating on the skin that repels insects and prevents a bite.
- Essential oils are also great against mosquitoes (especially clove, geranium and eucalyptus oil!!!), see this article for more details.
