Why Are Some People Mosquito Magnets?

First time accepted submitter CherryLongman writes "If you feel as if every mosquito in a 50-mile radius has you locked in its sights, while your friends are rarely bitten, you could be right. Up to 20 percent of us are highly alluring to mosquitoes — and scientists have discovered some surprising reasons."

Comments

Re:Iron in blood attracts mosquitos.

[Andrio]

Here's an interesting thought in regards to mosquitoes. The only ones that bite are the females when they're going to lay eggs, since they need tho protein for the eggs.

So when one bites you, and then goes off to lay eggs, the new mosquitoes that originate are created from *your protein* Like was created from your blood!

It's like you have little yous flying around :)

Re:Everglades

[SJHillman]

Most bug sprays are intended to mask you from the bugs, it does a piss poor job of actually repelling them. You're best off keeping something that you can light and put around you (flares, candles, the wife's fruitcake). Or just hold a lighter in front of the bug spray as it comes out and ward them off like that. Of course, Everglades mosquitoes are just as likely to keep biting after they catch fire.

Laser defense

[RoccamOccam]

I really want to build a laser mosquito zapper (like this one: http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/gadgets/backyard-star-wars). However, this looks pretty pricey (multiple cameras and galvanometers).