I don’t know
about the rest of you, but I HATE mosquitoes. I absolutely cannot stand them. The feeling, however, is not mutual. I can go
outside for a split second in the summer time and the next thing I know, I’ve
been bitten a million times. It’s been this way for forever, and it seems as
though nothing works. The spray is gross, smelly, and sticky (although they
have a nice unscented “dry” one that came out recently that is definitely a
step up!). Even if it does work, it’s only for a short time and then it wears
off. Did anyone else ever try those ridiculous coil ankle bracelet things that
were made by OFF which supposedly repelled mosquitoes without the need for the spray?
Well if you didn’t, I can assure you, they didn’t work. Like I said, NOTHING
seems to work. Until now?
I found this
article in Science Daily while trying to find something interesting
(despite really just wanting to discuss more soil microbiology with
applications to forensics). It discusses the efforts that are in progress to
try to uncover a “new” and natural (?!) repellant that –get this– is produced
by our skin! Because human skin releases a variety of compounds, the human “scent”
is actually what attracts mosquitoes. Through a number of tests, scientists
have isolated these compounds in order to try and determine which compounds
specifically are the attractants. They found that certain substances clearly
attract the insects, but others actually inhibit their sense of smell.
Um, yes, please! Can we get this by the
gallon, anyone? Of course, this is all still in its preliminary stages of
research, but it was found that these types of compounds are actually found in
abundance in certain lotions, perfumes, and cosmetics. This would explain why
some people don’t get bit as often… The main flaw with this article is that it
fails to name some of these lotions and perfumes. I mean, geez, I am apparently
not using the right ones, and would like to find out which are the right ones,
pronto!
Interesting ! I read from like long time ago that it was carbon dioxide that is responsible for attracting mosquitoes. I also read recently that it was something in our sweat that attracts them so eagerly . I am just concerned about this kind of research because if we actually found this type of repellant we are actually contributing to their extinction. (I dont know if they also feed on other animals as well) But we might break what is called the food cycle. Maybe some animal feed on mosquitoes and if mosquitoes disappear the survival of the predator is threatened as well. It is just a theory. I would like to hear your insight!
ReplyDeleteThe article does say sweat is the major attraction for mosquitoes. I do agree that by advancing our knowledge in repellents, we could be contributing to mosquito death, but they do feed on many other animals besides humans, so it may not have a particularly devastating effect. With all the diseases they carry, it may just be a benefit for us. Other insects do feed on mosquitoes though, so a decrease in mosquito count would effect them. It is a fine line to dance around, but I for one would like for mosquitoes to leave me alone!
Deletehaha love the post! Yes I hate mosquitoes too! My problem is that when I get bit, my bites swell up like crazy! I don't know why this is but I know not everyone has the same kind of reaction. Also, I did not know it was actual human scent that attracted them. I always figured it was like body heat or something but I did watch a video once of a mosquito bite in the actual skin and the stinger actually looks for the blood vessel! It was freaky to watch! but here enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXSPacvuak
ReplyDeleteWhen I am bit, the bites swell up too! Maybe that's why I hate them so much!!! It's some sort of minor allergic reaction from my understanding. I think to their saliva or whatever it is they produce. Oh, and I think body heat does contribute to the attraction, but with body heat there is sweat, so maybe its the combination they like? I'll have to check out the video, I bet it is freaky!!
DeleteMustapha, I feel that there really isn't an animal that necessarily feeds on mosquitoes. If anything, perhaps spiders but there are other insects they eat as well. Plus mosquitoes are the main transmitter of Malaria. I have read a few articles where they might have found some kind of medical advancement for malaria by actually studying the mosquito but I can't recall specific details. I feel that if this repellent came to existence it could also help developing countries fight malaria as well.
ReplyDelete"Mosquito hawks" eat mosquitoes, don't they? I actually think there may be several insects which prey on mosquitoes. They may have a variety of food sources, but if one were gone, that would start a depletion in others, and so on. This could lead to an issue in insect populations, some even causing problems for us, I'm sure. I don't know specifics, though. Mosquitoes feed on many animals, though, so I don't really know if repelling them better would have a detrimental effect.
DeleteJessica, not all mosquitoes could carry malaria. There is a very specific specie of mosquitoes that are able to carry this disease. You could know based it on the physiology and behavior. If you see a mosquito having one leg up while standing on a surface of course (I have no idea what is the name for insect legs anyways) then the insect is able to carry the disease (belong to that specific specie). I saw once a mosquito with a leg up. I murdered it quickly :p
ReplyDeleteHence why I want to repel them! If I was close enough to see that, I would not want to be!!! I had no idea only specific species carried malaria! Yet another thing the media fails to tell us. They like to talk so much about the diseases mosquitoes can carry that they fail to tell you these things!
DeleteThis is interesting! I would love to have this at my disposal! Getting bitten is a large part of why I do not go outside now, it ruins the potential fun because you are constantly on alert to swat the next mosquito that comes.
ReplyDeleteNice post! I love being out doors and face this problem a lot. Like everyone else here I also have the same issue with these annoying insects.
ReplyDeleteA while back while watching one of those nature shows (..discovery?)one of the guys explained that certain species of plants release compounds that can be used as repellent if you find yourself in the wilderness without such resources. This can be done by crushing the plant and spreading it on to the skin.