A sure sign of summer in Kansas is the sight and sound of the mosquito fogger running up-and-down the streets and alleys of our towns, and after recent heavy rains the skeeters’ were as thick as hairs on a dog’s back.
It seems Eve’s original indiscretion in the Garden of Eden continues to haunt all mankind in more ways than one, as only female mosquito’s bite. And when the little blighters bite us, it’s not for a drink either, but because they need human blood to develop fertile eggs, according to Jerry Butler, PHD and professor at the University of Florida. Both Professor Butler and Joe Conlon, PHD with the American Mosquito Control Assn. say mosquitoes prefer to suck on some humans more than others, as one in ten people are highly attractive to mosquitoes (and my wife is definitely in that group.) Research has also determined that when certain elements of our body chemistry are found in excess on the skins surface, they draw mosquitoes closer, meaning that genetics actually accounts for a whopping 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes are drawn to their victims in three different ways; by heat, by movement and by smell. Every living human puts off heat, so I guess in this category it’s a wash as we all appear equally appetizing. Scientists also believe that movement is highly attractive to mosquitoes, so to help stay under their radar, wear clothing that blends with your surroundings and keep your movement to a minimum. (I’ll remember this advice the next time I’m sitting still-as-a-stone in a turkey blind, camouflaged from head to toe, and the mosquitoes outnumber the hair on my arms).
Now comes the category of “smell” where the “stinkers” are separated from the “not-so stinkers” so to speak. Smell is proven to be the most used and most important method by which mosquitoes single out their meals, and it’s believed they can smell their dinner from as far away as fifty meters. People who produce an unusually high amount of certain chemicals like uric acid, or who are overly-efficient at processing cholesterol, leaving excess cholesterol residue on their skin, tend to be mosquito magnets. But the two most sought-after scents by any self-respecting female mosquito are carbon dioxide and the lactic acid from our sweat glands. Larger people tend to give-off more carbon dioxide, so reports claim that mosquitoes target adults more than children because of this. (Not sure I agree with that one either) Pregnant women also appear to be at greater risk as they produce greater-than-normal amounts of exhaled CO2. And as for the “sweet smell of sweat,” the more we move, the more CO2 we expel, and when it’s hot like is often the case during mosquito season, the more we move, the more we sweat, all resulting in more attention from our buzzing, blood-sucking friends.
As for mosquito repellents, the tried-and-true chemical of choice is Deet, which has thus far proven to be the most effective chemical mosquito repellent on the market. Avon’s Skin So Soft also works, but is effective for a much shorter period of time. Another product marketed as Cutter Advanced is gaining popularity and is said to be more user friendly. A much newer product marketed as DeckMate Mosquito Repellent is said to be selling like hotcakes, and is available as paper strips to be worn or hung above you, and as cartridges used with a small battery powered device that uses a fan to disperse the repellent around you. Tests of non-chemical, natural products made from the oils of soybeans, citronella, cedar,
peppermint, lemongrass and geraniums have all shown to provide short-lived protection at best. One other non-chemical product sold under the name “Don’t Bite Me” is a skin patch containing thiamine (vitamin B1.) The science behind the product is sound, as it supposedly produces a skin odor offensive to female mosquitoes, but the company’s on-going tests have not yet produced any conclusions. Other products such as mosquito traps and insect-shield-repellent apparel, used by the military, are also available. Purple martins and swallows are great and effective mosquito eating machines, so providing martin houses and making swallows feel welcome around old buildings and structures are great natural ways of mosquito removal. Of course, the best repellent by far is removing all possible incubation spots, as stagnant, standing water in bird baths, old tires, cavities in plastic toys, buckets etc. offers mosquito larvae a place to grow.
Mr. Google tells me the high end of a female mosquito’s life span is 100 days or less, during which she will lay from 1 to 3 batches of eggs totaling upwards of 900 eggs per batch. That’s a lot of swatting”! If there are opportunities to ask God questions when we get to Heaven, I want to be in that line to ask “Why were there mosquitos?” Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!
Steve can be contacted by email at [email protected].
