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."

Comments

It's a Natural Repellant

[AllMightyPaul]

"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.

Re:It's a Natural Repellant

[jonadab]

> it's a natural repellant made from chemicals already produced by the body.
> This leads to a high likelihood that it's not dangerous.

Non sequiteur. Ammonia is a natural chemical already produced by the body
(occurring prominently, for example, in urine), but when a tanker truck
carrying ammonia spills on the highway, it's an environmental disaster.
Bile is a natural chemical already produced by the body and is a natural
emulsifier. Endorphins and human growth hormone and steroids (such as
testosterone) are natural chemicals already produced by the body. These are
all quite dangerous chemicals, if used improperly or in the wrong amounts.

It's all about how much you use and how you use it. The right amount of
chlorine used correctly makes water safe to drink; the wrong amount used
improperly will kill you even faster than the bacteria it's saving you from.
This is just as true for "natural" chemicals as any other kind.

Needless Editorializing

[stienman]

...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

Re:Needless Editorializing

[thesp]

Well, here at Oxford, if we want to use this stuff we have to go by the MSDS, given here. It states: Safety (MSDS) data for N,N-diethyl-N-toluamide "Toxicology Toxic if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. May cause systemic effects. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutagenic data. May cause CNS disturbances. Toxicity data SKN-HMN TDLO 35 mg kg-1 ORL-WMN LDLO 950 mg kg-1 ORL-MAN LDLO 679 mg kg-1 ORL-RAT LD50 1950 mg kg-1 SKN-RBT LD50 3180 mg kg-1" Furthermore "Personal protection: Safety glasses, gloves, adequate ventilation."
So, the "...are believed by some" tag is entirely valid...

Re:Needless Editorializing

[Chirs]

"1% or so solution" ????

Typical bug sprays are around 30% deet, and it is not at all difficult to buy pure liquid deet as well (usually in a non-aerosol pump).

Re:Needless Editorializing

[NorthDude]

Here is a glossary for reading msds : http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/glossary/GLOSSARY.h tml

There is no TDLO, but you can extrapolate by reading LD50, LDLO and TD50...

Re:Needless Editorializing

[lord sibn]

*coughs*

And what was it that you thought cancer actually *is*?

Mutations, my friend. Nothing more, nothing less. some beneficial or benign, most dangerous. Are you really proposing that Deet causes (according to some studies) "mutations" that will give you the power to control the weather or fly? What type of "mutation" are you really expecting here?

Re:Needless Editorializing

[RatPh!nk]

Much like any chemical worth its CAS Number, there are a number of names: (ChemFinder.com)
N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide [134-62-3]
Synonyms: Metadelphene; M-DET; Off; Repel; repper-det; repudin; M-deta; 3-methyl-N,N-diethylbenzamide; m-toluic acid diethylamide; ai 3-22542; Autan; baker's antifol; dieltamid; diethyl-m-toluamide; Diethyltoluamide; Chigger-wash; Deet; Delphene; deta-20; Detamide; ENT 20218; flypel; MGK; mgk diethyltoluamide; naugatuck det; N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide; N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide; N,N'-diethyl-m-toluamide; N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide, , min.95% meta-isomer; N,N-diethyltoluamide;

Carbon Dioxide

[digitalchinky]

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...

B-complex

[cbiffle]

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.

Maybe it's genetic?

[Xaroth]

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

Horse Mosquitos

[RobertB-DC]

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.

Need beta testers?

[jtapper]

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. ;)

Other stories

[tod_miller]

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.

From someone who probably knows...

[b00m3rang]

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.

Re:From someone who probably knows...

[EricWright]

I have... it's freakish how well this stuff repels mosquitos!