Why always you? While others are sitting peacefully on the terrace in the summer, after ten minutes you are already scratched, nervous and armed with a reception. No, it's not a coincidence. Mosquitoes choose people much more carefully than we would like.
Mosquitoes are not only one of the more annoying summer pests, but they are also quite picky. In almost every group, there is someone who starts attacking first, while the others sit back and relax. So the real question is not whether mosquitoes choose people, but why do they always choose the same ones.
The answer is simple. Mosquitoes follow the signals, which the body emits all the time. They are attracted to your breath, skin heat, sweat, natural scent
Mosquitoes smell you first, not see you
Mosquitoes don't find people until they land on their skin. They first detect carbon dioxide, which we exhale. This is their main signal that someone is nearby to bite. The more you emit, the faster they detect you. This is why mosquitoes are often more intrusive after walking, running, cycling or on a hot eveningwhen the body works more intensely.
When this is joined by body heat, you are even more noticeable to them. If you have just come back from an activity and are sitting in the garden or balcony, mosquitoes will quickly know you are there.
Skin odor is the main reason mosquitoes choose some and leave others alone
It makes the most difference between people natural skin scent. Not perfume, not shower gel, but what the body secretes itself. Every person has their own special chemical signature, and mosquitoes detect it very well. Some people are more attracted to this smell, while others are much less so.
Therefore, a completely ordinary scene often occurs, two people sitting next to each other, Mosquitoes only attack oneIt's simply that someone is chemically more interesting to mosquitoes.
He also adds his own geneticsSome people simply have a skin type that mosquitoes prefer. It's not exactly the most encouraging news, but it's a good explanation for why you might be among the first targets every summer.
Clothing can also affect how many mosquitoes you attract
Mosquitoes don't just follow scent. When they get closer, they also help visual signalsDarker clothes are generally more attractive to them than lighter ones. Black, dark blue and strong contrasts They are therefore a poor choice for evenings outdoors if you are regularly besieged by mosquitoes.
This doesn't mean you have to wear only white all summer long. It does mean that lightweight, lighter clothing with long sleeves and pants can make more of a difference than we think.
What really helps against mosquitoes
Mosquitoes mostly do purely practical things. Good repellent is still the best first line of defense. In the evening they help light long clothes, especially if you know you are attractive to mosquitoes. It also makes sense to change sweaty clothes and cool down a bit before sitting out.
It is also wise to look at the surrounding area. Standing water in trays, watering cans or pots is ideal for mosquitoes to thrive in. Sometimes the problem isn't just on your skin, but literally two meters away on the balcony.
Mosquitoes don't choose you by feeling, but by signal. The good thing is that you can limit some of these signals at least a little. And that alone is enough to make a summer evening less itchy and much more pleasant.
