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Are Some People Mosquito Magnets?
Newsweek ^
| Jul 3, 2008
| Kurt Soller
Posted on 07/04/2008 4:34:10 PM PDT by Daffynition
After this weekend's barbeques and fireworks displays, you might wonder why some people wind up covered in mosquito welts and others are bite-free. It's not a coincidence. Each person's individual body chemistry determines how many mosquitoes will come calling.
According to Joe Conlon, a medical entomologist who advises the American Mosquito Control Association, the insects can detect their targets from nearly 100 feet away. But what are they seeking? Mostly the scent of carbon dioxide and lactic acid, two compounds that indicate to the hematophagous — or blood-sucking — pests that their next landing pad is nearby. (It's worth noting that when a female mosquito latches on to you, she's not looking for food; instead, she sucks out blood to help fertilize her eggs... that's why males don't "bite").
[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Gardening; Health/Medicine; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: mosquito; pests
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To: Daffynition
Are Some People Mosquito Magnets? My wife is convinced that the answer is "yes".
2
posted on
07/04/2008 4:36:36 PM PDT
by
Redcloak
("Yes, I have been drinking. Why do you ask?" #1 on the list of "Things heard from McCain voters")
To: Daffynition
Mostly the scent of carbon dioxide... See! The Earth is getting revenge for Gorebal Worming!!!
3
posted on
07/04/2008 4:38:33 PM PDT
by
Grizzled Bear
("Does not play well with others.")
To: Daffynition
Mosquitos don’t really target me, but if there is a flea within 50 feet of me, it will be on me like a liberal on a welfare program.
4
posted on
07/04/2008 4:41:12 PM PDT
by
rivercat
(The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. - William Shakespeare)
To: Daffynition
Supposedly, alchohol draws them as well, yet, amazingly, I am free of bites.
5
posted on
07/04/2008 4:41:48 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Peregrine, patron saint of cancer patients, pray for us.)
To: Redcloak
I think I get a lot fewer mosquito bites when I take garlic capsules, even the odorless kind that don’t repeat seem to work, too.
6
posted on
07/04/2008 4:42:15 PM PDT
by
Twinkie
(TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT !!!)
To: Daffynition
I remember the book Sugar Blues, and the guy who wrote it said when he went off sugar, bugs stopped bothering him.
To: Daffynition
“she sucks out blood to help fertilize her eggs ...”
Baloney. The eggs are fertilized by male mosquitoes. The blood provides essential nutrients — protein and iron.
To: Redcloak; Grizzled Bear; dcam; ConorMacNessa; A_perfect_lady
I've been on a mosquito's menu in some pretty far-flung places in the world ... even bitten by Alaska's most notorious, and no matter who, where or what ... the worst mosquitoes are here in Maine. They are vicious and determined.
To: Redcloak
I’d have to agree with your wife. Fortunately, I don’t seem to attract them.
10
posted on
07/04/2008 5:01:29 PM PDT
by
mass55th
To: Daffynition
Eat Bananas,that keeps them away.
11
posted on
07/04/2008 5:14:19 PM PDT
by
silentreignofheroes
(Old Dogs and Children,and Watermelon Wine.)
To: dcam
To: Daffynition
(It's worth noting that when a female mosquito latches on to you, she's not looking for food; instead, she sucks out blood to help fertilize her eggs... that's why males don't "bite").
Wait a minute! Is the author saying I'm the father to millions if not billions of mosquitoes in my life time!
13
posted on
07/04/2008 5:17:59 PM PDT
by
Man50D
(Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
To: silentreignofheroes
Eat Bananas,that keeps them away.
Why not just smear bananas on skin?
14
posted on
07/04/2008 5:19:18 PM PDT
by
Man50D
(Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
To: Man50D
That is an option,I have the wife do it all the time.The Skeeters bite her and they leave me alone.
15
posted on
07/04/2008 5:21:46 PM PDT
by
silentreignofheroes
(Old Dogs and Children,and Watermelon Wine.)
To: A_perfect_lady
When you get off sugar, your body pH goes from slightly acidic to slighty alkaline. And garlic does work (as well as being a natural blood thinner).
16
posted on
07/04/2008 5:25:23 PM PDT
by
Secret Agent Man
(I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
To: Man50D
You may be the step-father. ;)
To: Daffynition
Are they talking about Obama?
I can think of other names for his followers...
18
posted on
07/04/2008 5:43:14 PM PDT
by
Tzimisce
(How Would Mohammed Vote? Obama for President!)
To: Daffynition
In my youth I used to be a mosquito magnet. When I was older, about in my mid 20's, they decided they did not like me anymore.
Like my 1st wife, I don't miss them.
To: Daffynition; Heatseeker; confederacy of dunces; Pyro7480; Dustbunny; Godebert; BykrBayb; ...
Are Some People Mosquito Magnets? YES --- I am living proof, as I put even more OFF on me!!!!!!!!
But the idea of 100 feet is ludicrous. If there is a mosquito within 100 MILES it is going to find me.
Double PING to the DelMarVa (skeeters are the reginal bird) and Garden lists!!!!!
20
posted on
07/04/2008 6:04:37 PM PDT
by
Gabz
(Don't tell my dad I'm a lobbyist, he thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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