MAGICinMYHEART
<font color=FF0066<b>WL Vet</b><br><font color=gre
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2003
- Messages
- 7,754
MICKEY'S DREAMERS said:
Laura
While I know you you posted the above in fun but in fact...Yes
your fragrance and where you live are correct.A mosquito has to choose whether or not to try to feed. Different species of mosquito prefer different species of animals to feed from. So the mosquito tests the air for tiny scents given off by its favorite animal with the mosquito's sensitive antennae. Some of these scents come from the host's skin secretions. If the mosquito is lucky enough to have several good hosts to choose from, it may choose the host with the most perfect combination of these scents. (Maybe they just wanted Italian food that day)
So the members of your family that are "mosquito bait" probably have scents that match more perfectly with what the mosquitos are looking for than other members of your family. Let's look at what makes people secrete different scents.
Many people don't realize that the skin is, in fact, an excretory organ. A large amount of your body's waste products is excreted out through sweat glands. Variations in the waste products present in your sweat depend a lot upon what you eat. Vegetarians smell differently from people who eat meat. Drinking alcohol or taking other drugs also changes what you smell like. So differences in diet change how mosquitos evaluate you as a possible meal. But genetics also factor into what your skin secretions contain. Your metabolism is strongly influenced by your genes, and it is your metabolism that produces the bulk of the waste chemicals released through your skin. Metabolic wastes, such as lactic acid, attract mosquitos.
Another factor you might not have considered is the genetics of the mosquitos in your area. It's possible that if your family moved to another area, the mosquitos there might have different ideas of which of you make the most perfect host.
Mosquito attraction to humans is a very complex matter. Primarily, mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the breath and pores of humans. In addition to CO2, some species of mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances and colors. During mosquito season it is recommended that people who wish to be less attractive to mosquitoes wear unscented products (hair spray, soap, deodorant, etc.) and light colored clothing.
Another way to become less attractive to human biting mosquitoes is to wear commercially available, proven mosquito repellents. The most common proven repellent is DEET (N, -diethyl-meta-toluamide). There are many unproven products commercially available as mosquito repellents. No matter what repellent is used, the entire label should be read thoroughly.
So you must smell sweet to the Castaway Skeeters...while I smell stinky
Becke
I NEED to protect myself ... the week before you and Terry come over to visit with us !!!
NO MATTER if some poor
Laura
