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Why Mosquitoes Bother Some And Not Others
antipode writes "The BBC reports that scientists may have a better clue why mosquitoes prefer biting some people to others. This may lead to formulating a next generation of mosquito repellent that would suppress the smells attracting the blood sucking insects. According to the article, such repellent would be odor-less by itself. Wonder whether it's going to be more evil than
Deet-based repellents, which, while being the only type that actually works, dissolve plastic and are believed by some to be carcinogenic."
My wife knows mosquitos love me. Whereever she goes, she's safe from mosquitos if I'm nearby.
"Wonder whether it's going to be more evil than Deet-based repellents, which, while being the only type that actually works, dissolve plastic and are believed by some to be carcinogenic."
If the poster actually did read the article, he would have noticed that it says that it's a natural repellant made from chemicals already produced by the body. This leads to a high likelihood that it's not dangerous.
...and are believed by some to be carcinogenic.
I love this type of statement. It just reeks with the type of FUD that flies back and forth in the OS war.
If it's a belief, then it has no place in the introduction - it's a myth or rumor.
If, however, there are studies which cast doubt on its safety then it's well and good to show that with a statement like, "and are shown to be carcinogenic in some studies."
Gah. I realize I'm being pedantic, but can we please stop the rumors and FUD in general? Or are we merely being hypocritical by letting our own FUD be published while decrying FUD used against us?
-Adam
A biologist friend of mine studying ross-river-virus explained that it was related to our emission of carbon dioxide. They 'smell' it.
At least, that's what I think was said - I was pretty drunk at the time...
I wish the article had provided a bit more info on what the specific chemicals were.
In my family, we've traditionally used B-complex to ward off mosquitos. If you take a certain amount (more than usual, not enough to stink and turn orange), mosquitos ignore you completely.
Wonder if it's related.
Want to repel mosquitos? A fan and baby powder works just fine.
I mean, they could just start with the Yamada family and see what makes *them* so tasty!
For those that don't get the reference
That green slime had it coming.
It's already known that some mosquitos target specific species. I've seen this in action on my horses -- they can be covered in LARGE mosquitos, while I remain relatively bite-free. That doesn't stop me from trying to kill as many of them as I can.
Of course, one reason these mosquitos can survive on horses is because horses are big and tough, whereas I am small and wimpy. When the horse walks off, the mosquitos that get left behind sometimes decide they should try a little human in their diet... and it HURTS, with the result that the mosquito in question gets splattered. Darwinian selection at work.
How about this: give me something that will ATTRACT and then KILL the mosquitoes. Preferably, something like this.
Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
Spending a summer in Winnipeg will be the ultimate test for this or any other mosquito product.
;)
There was a few weeks this year where I could even use the front door of my house because for wahtever reason the mosquitos liked to congregate on my door. There would be 20-30 on the door and of course they'll get into the house.
The only thing more annoying than mosquitos outside is mosquitos inside.
Be sure to check out the annual mosquito festival in Winnipeg starting May long weekend and going through until labour day, rain or shine.
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New Scientist coverage 22nd Jan
17 th Jan New Scientsit better article
I am convinced if thier search went back to 2000/2001 they had this story back then (about scents that attract mosquitos)
mosquitos are actively being eradicated by technology, developments to ecnourage bats to 'cave' closer to mosquito hotspots, 100watt sound speakers that bust open the guts of larvea under water and my personal favourite, a well aimed pillow in the middle of the night.
bastards.
#hostfile 0.0.0.0 primidi.com 0.0.0.0 www.primidi.com 0.0.0.0 radio.weblogs.com
Everyone should know that mosquito repellent does not keep mosquitos from finding the area around you although it may keep them off your actual body.
Mosquitos are attracted to the CO2 from your breath. They arent attracted to smell or blood or anything.
-- Betting on the survival of the media industry is a serious risk. I advise investing elsewhere.
A park ranger told me that what they all use is Avon Skin So Soft. It's not designed as a bug repellant, but apparently it works the best.
I haven't tried it myself.
Hm. I'd heard previously that blood type also had something to do with it. But it doesn't, apparently. http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20041111.html I'm the type of person that gets nailed three times by one mosquito, and they Always come to me first. They'll pass by three of my coworkers just to get to me... it's pretty effing irritating. I also seem to be more resistant to poisonous spiders, scorpions, and hornet stings than I am to a simple mosquito or flea bite. When I first landed in Hawaii, one nailed me on the back of the hand, and it swelled up to about three quarters of an inch higher than normal, and spread across the entire topside of my left hand. So, needless to say, any research that gets rid of them without coating me in oils that provoke my allergies or smoke that carries evil odors... makes me happy. Onward, researchers! My blood and skin are at stake! If anyone else has the same huge problems with them that I do, check out this link. It'll probably help. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/mosquito. htm
It was already known that some people produce "come and get me" smells which appeal to the blood-suckers.....Rothamsted Research, in Herts, found those less likely to be bitten produced odours which masked these scents.
What if this masking agent turns out to be B.O.? It just may have the downside of repelling girls also.
Table-ized A.I.
produced by Avon skin-so-soft is a popularfolk mosquito repellent, if your friends can stand the smell.