On what mosquitoes fly, experts have studied for many years. In the course of the experiments, they found out what attracts insects to infrared light, heat, natural body odor, a certain color. Mosquitoes sense the victim, being from it at a distance of several tens of meters. The hunting strategy of mosquitoes consists of 3 stages - the presence of a potential victim is determined by the smell of carbon dioxide at a distance of 5 m, they are searched visually - they see within 15 m, they direct accurate landmarks by the radiated heat.
How mosquitoes find a person
The activity of unpleasant bloodsuckers and their ability to find a victim surprises many. Even in absolute darkness, mosquitoes do not stop their activity. Therefore, the question of how mosquitoes see is one of the most frequently asked.
On a note!
Insects "see in the dark" thanks to the thermal and chemical analyzer, which nature has awarded them. With their help, mosquitoes smell the lactic acid contained in the sweat and the presence of carbon dioxide, which is exhaled by humans.
A lamp burning in the room attracts the attention of insects. However, only mosquito females fly into the light. Their attention is drawn to the heat from the light source. It is on him that the mosquito is guided during the flight, whether it is daylight or dark.
Using the heat receptor, mosquitoes also search for bare areas of the human body, trying to get as close as possible to the food source. However, bloodsuckers are often deceived by clinging to warm objects in anticipation of a meal.
For the proboscis
Some craftsmen argue that if you sharply stretch the skin in the place where the mosquito gnaws, it will turn out to be "caught by the nose", will not be able to escape and will burst from the pressure of the drunk blood. This method requires great dexterity and experience.
We hope that our tips on how to catch a mosquito in your room will be useful to you.
How mosquitoes are looking for us
Mosquitoes are very active at night. At this hour, all the colors are thickened and clear outlines of silhouettes are not noticeable. What locating systems do these insects use?
Summer is not only a season of vacations and vacations, picnics and barbecue, but also, the annoying squeak of which interferes with good rest and sleep. No less suffering is also caused by the bites of annoying insects. They are often accompanied by severe itching. Moreover, it often happens that being in the same company, not all of its participants suffer from the attack of bloodsuckers. Therefore, in order not to become a victim of insatiable bloodsuckers, it will not be superfluous to know what mosquitoes are flying at or what attracts their attention.
What attracts insects
After conducting numerous studies, specialists were able to determine that the presence of the following factors attracts the attention of mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes
The smell of blood
For many, this will seem absurd, but bloodsuckers find a victim by the smell of blood, inherent in genetics, which makes you think about people with which group mosquitoes bite more often. It is assumed that they give preference exclusively to people with 1 blood group. They are more indifferent to a person with 3 or 4 blood groups. Blood of the 2nd group is not at all to the taste of vampires.
On a note!
Hunting for people is arranged exclusively by female mosquitoes. To breed, females drink blood, as it contains proteins and enzymes.Males are absolutely indifferent to blood. They feed exclusively on plant foods, using plant nectar and sap. Females can also be vegetarians, but they will not be able to lay eggs during this period.
Heat radiation
To find a suitable prey for a female blood-sucking mosquito, special very sensitive sensors located on the antennae help. They are very responsive to heat radiation that comes from a person or other warm-blooded creature. Moreover, bloodsuckers especially feel the bare areas of the body.
Carbon dioxide concentration
Attracts the attention of bloodsuckers and carbon dioxide. Insects can sense it from a person's breath at a distance of several tens of meters.
On a note!
Moreover, the greater the concentration of carbon dioxide, the greater the appetite of the insect producing its victim. Its largest volume is reproduced by overweight people.
Sweat smell
Sweat is another factor that attracts the attention of blood-sucking insects. Therefore, they often choose an actively working person as a victim. To be more precise, bloodsuckers fly to the smell of ammonia, lactic and uric acid, which are part of human sweat.
Perfume will not help in this case, especially if it contains musk. Indeed, for insects, this aroma is very attractive. Therefore, it is not the best option to use cosmetics with a pungent smell, be it perfume, deodorant, or hairspray. But a person who has just taken a shower will not arouse any interest in bloodsuckers.
Mosquitoes and the smell of sweat
Bacteria on the skin
Mosquitoes are also interested in specific types of bacteria present on the surface of the skin. Places where there are excessive numbers of them (usually ankles and wrists) are attacked by insects much more often. Therefore, to avoid mosquito bites, you must regularly shower with antibacterial soap.
The smell of beer
Scientists managed to find out another surprising fact about mosquitoes. No less lures mosquitoes and the smell of beer, or rather people who consume it. This addiction is explained by ethanol secreted through the skin and increased body temperature, which is usually observed in alcohol drinkers.
Gender
Children and girls are more often victims of mosquitoes. This fact is explained by the presence of thinner skin in them, which is much easier for insects to bite than the skin of a male.
On a note!
According to a number of studies, experts were able to find that women during pregnancy are of particular interest in mosquitoes. It turned out that the volume of exhaled carbon dioxide by them is almost 20% more. In addition, pregnant women have a slightly higher body temperature.
Not less attention of bloodsuckers is attracted by women during ovulation. The reason for this is the smell of cholesterol, the level of which rises in women during hormonal changes. It is to him that mosquitoes react.
The color of things
The color of clothing can also attract the attention of insects. According to statistics, bloodsuckers are especially not indifferent to black and blue tones, and the red color also attracts insects. They are neutral to gray. Less attractive are yellow, green and khaki.
Interesting!
Those people who have a special repellent that repels bloodsuckers from birth are not exposed to attacks of annoying insects.
Adaptive facts
In the summertime, you can find a mosquito everywhere. Initially, blood-sucking creatures lived in the wild near water bodies, in swampy places, deciduous forests. However, part of them gradually moved to urban settlements.Now you can meet a mosquito in any metropolis.
Mosquitoes
They live in damp basements, entrances, outbuildings, near garbage cans, thickets in the courtyard, in a city park. Eggs are laid in damp ground, on pipes, where condensation constantly collects, a wet rag, and rotten foliage. Since the development of the larvae cannot be called complete, the generation of urban mosquitoes is much weaker than the marsh mosquitoes.
Mosquito-attracting agents
Mosquito traps
A lot of mosquito repellents have been created, which are available in the form of aerosols, sprays and creams. Folk remedies are also popular. However, traps, or as they are more often called, mosquito killers, are recognized as safer.
- A heat trap is a means of attracting mosquitoes through heat. Such units are designed for use both indoors and outdoors. The most popular electric lamps are the Terminator, the mosquito killer SITITEK Sadovy-M.
- A carbon dioxide trap mimics human breathing. Bloodsuckers perceive the gas emitted into the atmosphere as a trace of human activity, feeling it from tens of meters away.
- The water trap is characterized by the presence of an open tray with water. After all, it is in the water that mosquito females usually lay eggs. Therefore, it is enough to periodically add and replace water, disposing of caught insects.
- Electric traps kill mosquitoes with an ultraviolet lamp, which they flock to the light and heat of. It is equipped with a built-in grid, which is supplied with voltage. As soon as the insect touches it, it dies from the discharge of an electric current.
- The propane trap is for outdoor use only. It works by releasing CO2 and special baits that mimic the smell of human sweat. One of these devices is the Mosquito no KRN-5000 turbo PRO device.
Many craftsmen make their own mosquito traps using plastic bottles or paper soaked in a mixture of rosin, linseed oil and honey. Safety and accessibility are the main advantages of such devices.
Science to help
Just a few years ago, scientists learned how to effectively trick the tactile and olfactory systems of blood-sucking insects by creating a completely new mosquito repeller, aka repellent.
They found that all sensory hairs on the mosquito's maxillary organ are connected to three neurons: to detect octenol (a substance that mimics the smell of lactic acid), carbon dioxide, and to generally enhance the sense of smell. It is these mechanisms that scientists have adopted in the fight against mosquitoes.
They created a trap that releases small amounts of carbon dioxide and an organic attractant containing octenol, something that can attract mosquitoes from a distance of several kilometers. The body of creation has a rough surface, very similar to human skin, and emits heat, which finally lulls the vigilance of bloodsucking.
Unsuspecting insects approach the surface, and then they are sucked in by a stream of air, and already inside they are killed by a small discharge of electric current. Is it cruel? Not at all! This is very effective when you want to protect yourself and your family from unbearable bites. Thanks to science for that!
How to kill mosquitoes at home, at night, when you almost fall asleep and you don't want to disturb your household? The situation is very unpleasant, because the mosquito has disturbed your sleep, bitten painfully, and even the bite site itches. And if there are small children in the house, then night bites can be a serious problem, because the child cannot sleep, cries, and in the morning all exposed parts of the body turn out to be swollen and red. This is at best if the child does not have allergies. We hope you find our tips on how to kill a mosquito the right way for you.
Just a few years ago, scientists learned how to effectively trick the tactile and olfactory systems of blood-sucking insects by creating a completely new mosquito repeller.
Tips & Tricks
- For adults with allergies, it is better not to use products with strong odors. Some natural remedies cause severe allergic reactions.
- In children, the blood moves more actively, so they are entitled to special baby creams and sprays. The cream should be applied carefully, avoiding contact with eyes, mouth and wounds. If spilled, the affected area should be thoroughly rinsed with plenty of water.
- Spray "Sun" does not have pronounced odors and substances harmful to the child's skin and respiratory tract. It can be used for children from 1 year old. Spray the product at a distance of 10 to 15 cm from the child's skin. The skin is treated no more than 3 times a day.
- Attention! It is better not to use untested products for children. The packaging must bear the following inscription: “Tested by the Moscow City Disinfection Center. Hypoallergenic. Approved and recommended by the Federal State Institution “Moscow Research Institute of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Russia”.
