Why don’t mosquitoes bite everyone and what does bacteria have to do with it?

The fact that some people are attacked by mosquitoes in swarms, while others are practically ignored, makes us wonder what attracts bloodsuckers. To detect prey, females use all of their receptors. But on what basis do they choose their victims? There is also an opinion that insects treat people differently with different blood compositions. To determine what blood type mosquitoes love, you will have to study a little about the characteristics of both groups and find their differences.

Classification Features

In 1901, scientist Karl Landstein was the first to scientifically prove that human blood comes in several types.
He came up with a classification, which subsequently changed somewhat. Each group differs in the content of a specific antigen. The owners of the first group do not have it at all. Representatives of the second have a protein of a certain category. It is these features that determine the blood levels that female mosquitoes feed on. Among other things, the classification takes into account a set of other substances that determine the biological indicators of residents. In order to answer the question of what blood type attracts mosquitoes, scientists conducted a lot of research with the participation of representatives of different nationalities from all over the world.

Most Favorite

Numerous studies have been conducted to confirm the fact that female mosquitoes do indeed fly by blood type. They involved a variety of people who had different blood counts. As a result, most bloodsuckers bit carriers of the first category.

This is the most delicious blood for mosquitoes. It completely lacks proteins and this fact plays a certain role on its consistency. In it, red blood cells have a smoother surface.

It was also noted that the most attractive are people with the first group and a negative Rh factor. Mosquitoes and blood type number one, but with positive Rhesus - an equally common combination. But experiments have proven that bloodsuckers are less interested in positive Rhesus than in negative ones.

Insects also bite second-graders more often. They had slightly fewer mosquito bites than the owners of the first one. But the fact that mosquitoes initially swoop in precisely to feast on the first group has been confirmed more than once.

Breeding cycle

The mating season of insects begins 2–4 days after the pupa turns into an adult. After communication, the mosquito goes in search of squirrel. To do this, the pest uses antennae focused on the head. With their antennae, insects track:

• Heat generated.
• The aroma of sweat.
• Carbon dioxide released during exhalation.

Understanding how a squeaking mosquito drinks blood is not difficult. After all, many scientists have described this process in detail:

1. Once the victim is identified, the mosquito looks for a suitable place to bite. Mosquitoes do not gnaw on thick skin. Insects choose places with pulsating wreaths.
2. Next, the mosquito forms holes through its proboscis and releases special substances. The components present in saliva reduce the likelihood of clotting.
3. Determining that mosquitoes are full is problematic. After all, the insect eats until it gets completely drunk. The volume consumed by an insect at one time depends on how large its abdomen is.
4. Once mosquitoes are fed, they look for places to lay eggs.

Because mosquitoes are especially active in the summer, some people are afraid of them. Children often ask their parents how many mosquitoes it takes to drink all the blood of a person. To calculate everything correctly, you need to know:

1. How much lymph does the female consume?
2. How many liters of lymph are there in a person?

Scientists have also studied this issue. For a person to die from the loss of protein substance, it takes at least 199–200 thousand insects.

Why do mosquitoes need blood?

Why do mosquitoes drink blood? The fact is that eating animal or human blood is a necessity for female mosquitoes. It is one of the richest nutrient resources. Females need it because it contains a large amount of protein. Protein, in turn, contributes to the reproductive function. Males only need carbohydrate, which they easily find in plant nectars.

Protein contributes to the quality functioning of the egg laying process: it all depends on the quantity and quality of blood drunk.

What can mosquitoes infect?

Mosquitoes, without getting sick themselves, carry bacteria, viruses and parasites from person to person. It is definitely not possible to get HIV infection through a mosquito bite, but they carry the pathogens of malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, tularemia, lymphatic filariasis (“elephantiasis”) and encephalitis. These infections sicken more than seven hundred million people every year, and deaths number in the millions—malaria alone kills 435,000 people every year. Mosquitoes spread dangerous infections in Africa, South and Central America, Asia - and in Russia too.

It is not surprising that the fight against these insects is becoming an important task for entire countries and regions. There are vaccines to prevent some diseases, but it is also necessary to control the mosquito population - for this it is important, for example, to drain swamps, work with reservoirs, monitor conditions in basements - not only do larvae live there, but adults also overwinter

For mass mosquito control, certain species of fish and dragonflies are bred

For example, the Sochi nursery "Gambusia" distributes Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae, for free. Preparations based on the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis are also used in water - mosquito larvae eat the bacterial spores and die

For mass mosquito control, certain species of fish and dragonflies are bred. For example, the Sochi nursery "Gambusia" distributes Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae, for free. Also used in water are preparations based on the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis - mosquito larvae eat the bacterial spores and die.

The World Mosquito Program is currently being implemented to combat viral infections. As part of the program, mosquitoes are infected with the bacterium Wolbachia, which suppresses the reproduction of viruses. The bacterium spreads quickly among mosquitoes, infecting up to 90% of the population in 10–20 weeks and remaining in it for at least five years. The method is already used in Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, Brazil and China.

Who drinks, male or female?

To understand which sex needs blood, it is necessary to study the physiological characteristics and basic needs. Since only mosquitoes are involved in the formation of clutches, they also require protein from the lymph. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood. They prefer plant juice or nectar from certain flowers. Males differ in the structure of their proboscis and mouthparts.

To understand whether squeaking mosquitoes can drink all the blood, it is necessary to study the mechanism. The insect has a constant need for protein, so mosquitoes suck blood until they are completely saturated with the bloody substance. The pest breaks away from the “healing source” after its abdomen is filled.

What attracts blood-sucking parasites

Mosquitoes do not bite a clean body with the aroma of soap, shampoo, perfume, cologne, or eau de toilette. After some time, bacteria accumulate on the body during natural metabolic processes, which forms its own odor, attractive to mosquitoes. Insects often bite on the legs and ankles, since the smell is most intense in these places.

When breathing, carbon dioxide is formed, which parasites sense several tens of meters away. The more intense the breathing, the more pests will flock together. In parallel with this, against the background of physical activity, the work of the sweat glands increases. The persistent smell creates a unique aura around a person that mosquitoes cannot help but notice. Of particular interest are overweight people, athletes, people engaged in intense physical labor, who do not observe the rules of personal hygiene.

Odors that attract mosquitoes

Lactic acid is another important indicator. Consumption of milk, yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk, ice cream, cheese, and other fermented milk products helps increase its amount. For this reason, mosquitoes are more likely to bite babies.

Interesting!

A glass of beer acts on bloodsuckers as a signal to attack. Mosquitoes can hear the smell from 50 meters away and rush to bite with incredible appetite. But a glass of vodka repels pests several meters away.

Interesting observations

Mosquitoes and blood type are interconnected, but this is not the only criterion by which bloodsuckers determine the ideal victim. The decisive role is played by your own body odor, which is formed by bacteria. There are about a million of them in the body of every person. During the process of life, a certain aroma appears, which attracts parasites.

Frequent victims of midges and midges are people with impaired metabolism, hormonal imbalance, problems in the functioning of the immune and endocrine systems, as well as patients with tuberculosis. A person in whose body processes of decay and the development of oncology occurs repels mosquitoes and becomes unattractive to them.

The body of a pregnant woman is a tasty morsel for bloodsuckers. Frequent breathing, increased metabolism, and hormonal changes lead to the formation of increased levels of carbon dioxide, sweat, lactic acid, and heat. In most cases, parasites try to bite the stomach

Metabolic rate or amount of carbon dioxide (CO2)?

All processes that occur in the body are associated with the release of energy.

Mosquitoes use CO2 as their primary means of identifying what they bite. All vertebrates produce carbon dioxide, which attracts annoying bloodsuckers. You can, of course, reduce the metabolic processes that occur in your body through diet and exercise, but not so much that it makes you invisible to insects.

“The categories of people most vulnerable to bites are large, overweight people, pregnant women and athletes,” says Dr. McIntyre.

After a party in the forest, where a lot of alcohol was drunk, it turns out that the one who was bitten the most is the one who aggravated the already not very pleasant situation with the amount of alcoholic drinks he drank.

It's true. Drinking alcohol increases metabolism in the body, and it becomes more attractive to winged parasites.

What blood type do mosquitoes like?

Let's look into this issue. Once again I would like to clarify that a person has 4 blood groups based on the type of erythrocyte antigens:

1. 0 (I);
2. A (II);
3. B (III);
4. AB (IV)

To this we should also add the presence of negative or positive Rh, but in our case this does not matter. What kind of blood do mosquitoes like?

The first research by scientists began in the 70s of the 20th century and has been continued now. According to some scientific studies, pests were most attracted to people with (I) blood type. People with blood group (II) were bitten by mosquitoes half as often. Those with (III) blood group remained more passive to insect attacks.

The body of most people secretes a chemical enzyme through the skin that allows mosquitoes to recognize blood parameters. A small part of the world's population, 15%, does not secrete the chemical enzyme onto the skin.

Genetics is the most important factor determining a person’s susceptibility to bloodsucker bites. Unfortunately, our genes determine our blood type and the chemical composition of our body. Genetics also dictates other factors that can make you an object of attraction for insects in the local population, say foreign scientists.

Lactic acid

Leading American ethologists argue that some chemicals that our body secretes, namely lactic acid, are very attractive to mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes recognize people not only through lactic acid, but also through uric acid and ammonia on the surface of the skin.

Some studies show that people with higher levels of steroids or cholesterol are attracted to blood-sucking insects like a magnet.

Of course, all these factors are individual and none of them is more important in determining a person’s attractiveness to mosquitoes. But it’s still worth listening to. There is no denying the fact that they are attracted to the chemicals we secrete. Therefore, this direction is in demand and relevant as an area of ​​scientific research.

How do mosquitoes drink blood?

Since only females need foreign blood, they are the ones who attack people and animals. Due to different diets, female and male individuals have different oral structures.

Physiological features that help the female drink blood:

• there are six sharp needles on the body.
• To pierce the skin, two of them are used, at the ends of which there are small teeth.
• To get to the blood vessels, the insect launches a kind of pump into the hole made - a very thin and flexible needle. With its help, the mosquito raises blood closer to the surface of the skin.
• The remaining needles are used as spacers to enlarge the hole.

Since the human body is able to quickly clot blood thanks to a certain enzyme, the mosquito needs to take additional measures to pump it out.

The main one is injecting your saliva into the wound, which acts as an anticoagulant. It facilitates the process of drinking blood by neutralizing the aforementioned enzyme, which allows the insect to be properly satisfied.

Please note: it is at this moment that a person feels an unpleasant burning sensation, which may subsequently result in an allergic reaction to the injected substance.

The mosquito’s “tools” are so thin and sharp that it is almost impossible to notice the bite at its very beginning. Usually a person feels discomfort already in the process of pumping out his blood.

Since the mosquito drinks blood to breed, the insect aims to obtain the maximum amount of building material for subsequent reproduction. If the bloodsucker's abdomen is full, it seeks to get rid of excess body fluid.

How a mosquito bites

A mosquito sting consists of an upper and lower lip, extended and pressed tightly against each other. Because of this, it feels like there is a solid trunk on the insect’s head. Inside there are two pairs of jaws, which are needles. With them, the mosquito pierces the skin and gets to the food.

The structure of the mouthparts of a mosquito

At the moment of the bite, the insect injects saliva inside, which prevents plasma clotting. It is this that causes itching and irritation. It also transmits various diseases, such as malaria and fever. Therefore, doctors recommend protecting yourself from mosquito bites in every possible way.

Having pierced the skin, the mosquito begins to absorb the necessary substances. From the outside you can see how his body gradually inflates and turns red. Having eaten, the individual becomes less mobile and goes to lay eggs.

The first blood group for mosquitoes

Even though mosquitoes bite us all, there are certain favorites that they love the most. These are people with the first blood group. This is the group they love the most. If it seems to you that this is completely wrong, then you can conduct an experiment when two people with the first and fourth groups go out into the street in the evening. There will be many more bites on the body of a first-generation child. And this fact has long been proven. Whatever tactics you choose, this method will still be fully proven.

The least attractive blood types for mosquito bites are the third and fourth groups. It is not really known what exactly this depends on, because if you take into account one and the other blood group, they will be slightly different in composition. For example, it may be a different Rh factor, which determines the presence or absence of protein. This substance somehow affects the composition of the plasma, which as a result can also attract or repel persistent insects.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites

If your genetics make mosquitoes perceive you as their “favorite dish,” then you need to use simple bite prevention measures to camouflage yourself:

• Wear light-colored clothing when insects are a nuisance. Dark clothing attracts bloodsuckers.
• Try to move less if you are attacked by whole hordes of insects, since the CO2 released by your body is an identification factor that says that you are not a tree, but a living creature.
• If possible, try to choose the right time of day for your walks, as mosquitoes prefer to feed at dusk and dawn, when air humidity rises and the wind tends to subside.
• If you still decide to sit in your garden plot in the evening, then try to equip this place with a simple fan, since it is difficult for mosquitoes to fly even in light winds.
• You should not refuse to use repellents, of which there is currently a large selection. Choose the most effective one.
• Even if all measures do not bring results, then find someone who is “tastier” than you and stay close to him.

Timur Shapovalov

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Mosquitoes love to bite pregnant women

We have already decided which blood type mosquitoes prefer to drink. But there is also the fact that these insects most often bite pregnant women. What this depends on is also 100% unknown. The only thing that has been proven is that mosquitoes are attracted to the higher body temperature that is observed in a pregnant woman.

Pregnant women also exhale 21% more carbon dioxide than non-pregnant women. Perhaps this is what prompts mosquitoes to bite frequently, regardless of the blood type of a pregnant woman. An important role is played by the body odor of pregnant women, because it also has its own specific shade. This fact has long been proven by scientists to this day in medical and scientific practice.

Who is most often bitten by mosquitoes?

Reading time: ~ 4 minutes Elena Andreeva 492

While relaxing in nature with friends, you can sometimes notice that some are often bitten by bloodsuckers, while others try to avoid others. Naturally, the question arises: what do insects like so much, and what determines their selectivity? It turns out that the whole point is in the group affiliation of each person. Let's try to figure out what blood type mosquitoes love and who they bite most often.

Which blood type repels bloodsuckers?

Based on the observations of scientists, we can conclude that mosquitoes practically do not bite people with the third and fourth blood groups. There is no explanation for this, although perhaps it all has to do with the composition of the blood, and it differs in different groups.

Of course, if mosquitoes find their prey in nature, all participants in the holiday will be bitten. However, owners of the first and second groups will suffer more.

Studies have been conducted and it has been proven that the use of 3 products has a negative effect on blood-sucking insects. Grapefruit helps due to its aroma. After eating citrus, odorous substances are actively released through the breath and through pores in the skin.

Since the female searches for prey by the smell of sweat, the substances in grapefruit will perfectly disguise it and create invisible protection. To achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to eat 1/2 fruit three times a day.

Apple cider vinegar acts as a poison against mosquitoes. It is enough to drink 1 tablespoon daily. After being bitten, the insect dies almost immediately. Apple cider vinegar also has a detrimental effect on the mosquito’s closest relative, the midge.

Garlic, which contains the substance allicin, will act on the same principle as grapefruit. Of course, the unpleasant smell will be noticed not only by insects, but also by people around you, because you will have to eat 3-4 cloves a day. Before using apple cider vinegar, it must be diluted with water in a ratio of 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of water. To improve the taste, you can add honey.

What diseases do mosquitoes carry?

Based on the results of the experiments, it was revealed what kind of blood mosquitoes love. So, the first blood group was preferred.

A positive Rh affiliation does not repel bloodsuckers, but a negative one attracts them more strongly. In second place for insect bites after the first blood group is the second.

In people with such an individual antigenic characteristic of red blood cells, bites are no less common, especially during outdoor recreation.

How to protect yourself from mosquitoes at home

To protect yourself from bloodsucker bites at home, you can use simple rules and recipes. If you follow everything strictly, then even the first blood group will not attract squeaks:

• Tomatoes and elderberries are planted under the windows. Leaves of these plants indoors will help get rid of parasites for a long time;
• wheatgrass decoction and tea tree oil;
• the smell of valerian and tobacco smoke is poorly tolerated by insects;
• A handful of freshly cut cherry or basil leaves will drive mosquitoes away from the house.

Everyone knows that these flying insects cause discomfort not only with their bites, but can also be carriers of dangerous diseases, for example, malaria or dirofilariasis.

That is why after being bitten you should pay special attention to your health. As protection, you can use body sprays and creams that contain repellents

Most Favorite Blood

As a result of the experiments, carriers of the first group received a greater number of bites. This is the most preferred blood for mosquitoes. Due to the fact that it lacks proteins, it has a certain consistency, and red blood cells have a smoother surface. It is worth noting that the most favorite blood for mosquitoes is the first group with a negative Rh factor. A positive factor does not repel bloodsuckers, but is less attractive than a negative one.

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Following the representatives of the first group in terms of the number of bites are the owners of the second group. But if you have to choose, mosquitoes flock to the smell of the first group, this is a repeatedly proven fact.

Essential oils that repel mosquitoes

If you do not want or have the opportunity to use a spray or fumigator, use natural remedies to get rid of mosquitoes. It has been proven that these annoying insects cannot tolerate the smell of pine needles and citrus fruits, so stock up on any essential oil from the pharmacy:

• cedar;
• juniper;
• pine;
• spruce;
• cypress;
• lime;
• grapefruit;
• orange;
• lemon.

Also, mosquitoes do not like the oils of cloves, eucalyptus, anise and basil, lavender, tea tree, vanilla and citronella, mint, cinnamon and valerian - the choice is quite wide. When choosing a scent to protect against insects, be guided by your own preferences. Before active use, make sure that you are not allergic to the purchased product.

Any of the aromatic oils can be used in the following ways:

1. Add a few drops to the aroma lamp.
2. Drop a little onto a candle, into a fireplace or stove, or into a fire outdoors. In short, any fire source will do.
3. Mix with water and spray from a spray bottle onto clothes, furniture, and spray the air in the room.
4. Place pieces of cotton wool, rags, and sponges soaked in oil throughout the house or in the part of the summer cottage where you relax.
5. Add a little aromatic liquid to the baby cream and lubricate exposed skin.

The smell of smoke and pine needles will help repel mosquitoes in nature.
Camphor oil is considered a strong and effective means of fighting mosquitoes. However, it is poorly tolerated not only by insects, but also by some people. Keep a few drops of camphor over the fire. If you do not experience any discomfort, evaporate 100 ml of oil over the burner. This amount is capable of driving out “bloodsuckers” even from large houses.

What else attracts bloodsuckers?

Blood type and mosquitoes

Some other factors may also attract bloodsuckers. Midges and mosquitoes detect their prey using the following indicators:

1. The amount of carbon dioxide. It is released by a person during breathing. Insects especially take advantage of this opportunity at night, when people are resting.
2. The smell of sweat. Attracts bloodsuckers over very long distances. The more a person sweats, the more insects he can attract. This confirms that trying to escape from a swarm of mosquitoes is simply useless. During activity, the sweat glands will work more intensely and the victim will become more vulnerable.

On a note!

The color of clothing is also of great importance. Therefore, when going outdoors, it is better to give preference to things in lighter shades. Insects also prefer people who have consumed alcohol or bananas. It is not recommended to use citrus and floral perfumes in nature; they can also attract bloodsuckers.

Thus, mosquitoes and midges really prefer to drink blood that lacks antibodies of both types, but this does not mean that severe hunger will prevent them from biting a person with any other type. Numerous other factors also contribute to the fact that some people are more attractive to insects, while others are practically uninteresting. Scientists have not been able to scientifically substantiate this fact.

Why don't mosquitoes bite everyone?

Mosquitoes don't bite everyone - that's a fact. For example, you came in the company of friends to the river or to the forest, and literally a minute later someone is already fighting off mosquitoes, and someone is blissful, having escaped with maybe just a couple of bites. Research confirms that some people are more attracted to mosquitoes than others. But how is it that mosquitoes love someone more? Do these people have particularly tasty blood, or do they smell somehow more appetizing?

Science and life // Illustrations

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector of yellow fever. Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim/Wikimedia Commons/PD.

A mosquito feeds on nectar on a flower. Photo: Abhishek 727 Abhishek Mishra/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0.

Common mosquito (Culex pipiens). Photo: Barillet-portal.David, Bordeaux/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Anopheles albimanus mosquito is a carrier of malaria. Photo: James Gathany/Wikimedia Commons/PD.

Larvae and one pupa of a mosquito. Photo: James Gathany, CDC/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.5.

Mosquito pupa. Photo: Andrei Stavitsky/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0.

The life cycle of the common mosquito: oviposition, four larval stages, pupa and adult (adult). Illustration:Marina Ruiz Villarreal LagyofHats/Wikimedia Commons/PD

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Both are true. There is at least one scientific paper that shows that type 0 (I) blood is preferred by mosquitoes over type A (II), B (III) and AB (IV) blood. True, experiments were carried out with Aedes albopictus - Asian tiger mosquitoes, and, perhaps, different types of mosquitoes have different preferences. They determine blood type by smell. About 85% of people secrete chemicals that reveal their blood type; Accordingly, mosquitoes will primarily fly to them. The remaining 15% of people whose blood type does not smell are less attractive to mosquitoes. They bite less, but they still bite, because in addition to the blood type, we have something to sniff at.

Mosquitoes find their prey through the carbon dioxide that we all exhale. Figuratively speaking, for them the whole world looks like streams of CO2, and they fly to where there is more of it. Using the carbon footprint, mosquitoes determine the location of the victim several tens of meters away. It is clear that they will fly to the one who exhales more carbon dioxide, which is why children suffer less from mosquitoes than adults. When you do hard physical work or play sports, you begin to breathe more often and thereby cause increased mosquito interest in yourself.

Mosquitoes smell more than just carbon dioxide. At a distance of about one meter, they begin to sniff other odors. Mosquitoes are attracted to the smells of lactic acid, as well as ammonia, acetone, sulcatone (a substance from the ketone group) and some carboxylic acids. There is more of this in the human smell than in the smell of animals, which is why mosquitoes prefer to bite people rather than cows and dogs (well, bare human skin also plays an important role in their choice).

Lactic acid and the other compounds mentioned above are formed as a result of biochemical reactions, and if these reactions are particularly intense, then the attractiveness to mosquitoes increases. During physical activity, you not only emit more carbon dioxide, but also other tempting odors due to your metabolism speeding up.

Finally, there is another component in the smell of a person that attracts mosquitoes - these are substances secreted by skin microflora. There are about a thousand species of bacteria on the skin, most of which live in the upper layers of the epidermis and in the upper parts of the hair follicles. No matter how thoroughly we wash our skin with soap, it is impossible to completely get rid of skin bacteria. Yes, this is not necessary, because they do not cause any harm and even bring benefits, keeping truly dangerous microorganisms away from us. For example, the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa that lives on the skin secretes pseudomonic acid, which staphylococci and streptococci bacteria, which can cause serious illnesses, do not like. Pseudomonas aeruginosa also suppresses the growth of pathogenic fungi. It is assumed that skin symbiotic bacteria help skin immunity work, just as intestinal bacteria help intestinal immunity distinguish beneficial microbes from harmful ones and promptly destroy uninvited guests. However, it is worth clarifying that the skin bacterium remains harmless and even useful only as long as it lives in the upper layer of the epidermis. If the bacterium moves deeper, or worse, enters the bloodstream, it becomes a very dangerous pathogen. It’s not for nothing that the same Pseudomonas aeruginosa got its terrifying name: it is found in purulent wounds and boils, it causes inflammation of the intestines and bladder. Actually, the harmlessness of microflora is closely related to the state of the immune system: if the immune system works normally, it is able to keep microbes where they are supposed to live and where they have no opportunity to harm. If immune restrictions weaken, then bacteria can do anything.

No matter how harmless or even beneficial microflora may be, it has a significant drawback - it makes us smell. Sweat wouldn't have any odor if it weren't for skin microbes. Bacteria break down substances that sweat and sebaceous glands secrete. The products of these biochemical reactions sometimes have a not very pleasant aroma. Propionic bacteria convert amino acids contained in the secretions of the sebaceous glands into foul-smelling propionic acid. The bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis produces isovaleric acid, which has an odor described as “sweaty feet.” These are just two examples, but in general there are several hundred different odorous substances in human odor. The microflora of all people is different: some have more bacteria of the same type, some have less, so the ratio of odorous substances produced by microbes differs from person to person, and so does the overall smell.

If we compare the composition of the individual microflora of a person with how much mosquitoes love him, then a clear pattern can be traced: the more diverse the microflora of the skin, the fewer mosquitoes land on it. And vice versa, the poorer the species composition of the skin microflora, the more attractive a person is to mosquitoes. We are talking specifically about species diversity, and not about the individual number of bacteria: two different people may have approximately the same number of bacterial cells, but a different number of species to which these bacteria belong.

First of all, such studies are carried out with mosquitoes that carry dangerous diseases, such as anopheles malaria, or with the so-called yellow fever mosquitoes. Most likely, other species also pay attention to the microbial odor of the skin. Perhaps, with a greater diversity of microflora, fewer tempting-smelling substances are formed on the skin, or, conversely, substances that repel mosquitoes appear. What these substances are and what bacteria produce them is still unclear. The matter is complicated by the fact that mosquitoes may not evaluate the individual components of each odor, but, so to speak, the bouquet as a whole. So far, it is known that bacteria of the genera Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Corynebacteria and Staphylococcus secrete substances that attract mosquitoes, and bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas produce substances that suppress the odors of other microbes.

The composition of skin microflora depends largely on the environment, on what we touch, how we wash our hands, and so on. But it also depends on the skin itself: whether it sweats a lot, whether a lot of sebum is secreted, whether there are many substances in the sweat that attract bacteria, and whether the skin secretes a lot of protective antimicrobial substances. All these properties depend to one degree or another on genes, and sooner or later researchers had to come up with the idea of ​​​​testing whether genetics influence a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes.

How to do it? You can, for example, take identical and fraternal twins and let mosquitoes bite them. Identical twins have exactly the same genes, but fraternal twins have different genes to some extent, and if genes really influence the attitude of mosquitoes towards us, this will be clearly visible in the twins.

Such an experiment was actually carried out, and it turned out that mosquitoes do not distinguish between identical twins, but among fraternal twins they clearly prefer one to the other. This means that genes basically influence mosquitoes to bite some people more and others less. The smell that indicates a particular blood type, the composition of sweat, and the antimicrobial molecules secreted by the skin depend on genes. But which specific genes play a role here is still unclear.

In general, the answer to the question why mosquitoes do not bite everyone is this: because people have different genes and different skin bacteria; both genes and bacteria work together to create an odor that mosquitoes may or may not like. The answer is not very specific, but at least there is scientific research regarding bacteria and genes. Perhaps in the future it will be possible to find out exactly which bacteria repel bloodsuckers, and anti-mosquito bacterial products made from “natural raw materials” will appear in stores.

Sometimes, however, they also say that mosquitoes are attracted to skin of a certain color and that they can be repelled by adhering to a certain diet, but there is no scientific data on this yet. (Although diet affects the skin microflora and therefore can indirectly make the skin more or less attractive to mosquitoes.)

To be fair, it should be added that mosquitoes navigate not only by smell - they also hear and see, and they even have a temperature sensor that allows them to choose warmer places on the skin to make it more convenient to drink blood. It is believed that dark objects seem more pleasant to mosquito eyes (although it is not clear why), so you can also get rid of excess mosquito attention by wearing colored and light-colored clothing. As for hearing, it was recently discovered that mosquitoes remember odors associated with unpleasant vibrations in the air, and then try to avoid them, even if it is the smell of a person. In other words, if you actively clap your hands, mosquitoes may remember that it is better not to fly in your direction.

Details for the curious

Something about the short life of a mosquito

There are about 3,600 species of blood-sucking mosquitoes (Culicidae). They inhabit all continents except Antarctica. The most common mosquito (Culex pipiens) is found wherever its main victim, humans, lives.

Most mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices. But among them there are quite a lot of species that have learned to suck the blood of humans and animals - not only animals and birds, but also reptiles, amphibians and even fish; There are mosquitoes that suck the hemolymph of large insects.

Only female mosquitoes drink blood; males feed on nectar and live no more than a week. Females live longer. After drinking blood, they wait several days until the blood is digested and until a portion of eggs is ripe. The eggs are then laid on the surface of the water, or on damp ground at the water's edge, or on floating objects.

Larvae hatched from eggs live in water and feed on aquatic microorganisms. After some time, they pupate and adult insects emerge from the pupae. In some species this takes only five days, in others it takes about a month and a half.

Why are mosquito bites dangerous?

Experts identify 3 thousand species of mosquitoes, for 100-200 of which the main habitat is the territory of our country. These bloodsuckers spread many bacteria and viruses, which means their bites can cause considerable harm to human health.

In order not to miss possible dangerous manifestations, you need to soberly assess the symptoms of the bite.

The following signs are acceptable:

• itching
• Swelling at the site of the bite.
• Inflammation of the skin, hyperemia (redness).

Important: the indicated symptoms are acceptable if they are of moderate severity.

The severity of possible consequences directly depends on several factors:

• the victim's predisposition to allergic reactions.
• A type of insect.
• Caring for the damaged area.
• No external influence on the wound (scratching).

For our latitudes, a common reaction is an allergy, but in other climates mosquitoes are carriers of more serious diseases:

• malaria or swamp fever. Found in the tropics and subtropics. Manifested by fever, chills, headache, nausea.
• Tularemia. The carrier of the disease is hares, small rodents, rabbits, the carrier is bloodsuckers. Manifested by fever, damage to the lymph nodes, and general intoxication.
• Zika virus. A person sick with this virus has children born with microcephaly (congenital neurological pathology). After biting an infected person, the mosquito becomes a carrier. There are currently no cases of Zika virus disease recorded in the Russian Federation.
• West Nile virus. Infection occurs from a mosquito that previously drank the blood of a sick bird. The infection affects the brain and central nervous system. The disease manifests itself as severe headache, fever, and convulsions. In more advanced cases, death occurs.

What to do if you have allergies

Our skin reacts to the flea's saliva, and the immune system releases excess histamine. Symptoms are somewhat similar to hay fever, but depending on the severity of the reaction, they may include:

• Severe itching;
• Rash or hives on various parts of the body;
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
• swelling of the face, hands, tongue, mouth, or lips;
• Dizziness;
• Nausea;
• Chest pain.

An anti-histamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Suprastin), will relieve symptoms if you are allergic to these insect bites.

In the worst case scenario, people may experience anaphylactic shock. It is life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Don't confuse an infected bite with an allergic reaction, and don't panic for no reason. Flea bite infections in humans have the following symptoms:

• Swollen tonsils;
• Redness;
• Pain in the area of ​​the bite.

If one or more of the following signs of infection appear, you should consult a doctor. However, these situations are not so common.

To prevent bloodsuckers from returning to your home for more blood after sanitary cleaning, the following preventive measures must be taken.

1. For your four-legged pets, you need to purchase anti-flea collars for dogs and cats. They will help protect the animal from parasites during walks and in contact with its relatives.
2. Use of special repellents. It is enough to anoint your feet and hands with a special ointment or treat them with an aerosol on the eve of a trip to nature, and insects will not be able to bite you. These are the tools that will help you escape from bloodsuckers at home.
3. You can also ensure your safety by wearing closed clothing. It will prevent parasites from reaching the skin.
4. If you suspect the presence of fleas, you must monitor the situation to avoid bringing it to a critical state.

How to protect yourself from mosquitoes

Regardless of your blood type, the mere presence of mosquitoes is unpleasant. In addition, bloodsuckers are capable of carrying many dangerous diseases. The most common of these is malaria. Therefore, mosquito bites should not be ignored, especially for pregnant women.

You can protect yourself from them by using specially designed body sprays or creams. The pronounced smell they possess repels mosquitoes and can significantly reduce the number of bites. Such products must be applied to clean skin, since the smell of sweat can overwhelm the aroma of the products, making them useless.

When choosing a mosquito repellent, you should read the instructions so that its components do not cause allergies or cause harm, especially for pregnant women and children. People with the first and second blood groups should definitely have such funds.

And if you do get bitten, then wipe the wound with alcohol tincture of calendula, cologne or boric acid. The main thing in this case is to destroy the bacteria that have entered the bite site. If you don’t have anything at hand, you should smear the wound with saliva, toothpaste, onion or garlic.

Perfume won't help

Encephalitis mites also react to human odor. However, this behavior is not characteristic of all insects. Entomologist, Department of Entomology, St. Petersburg State University, senior researcher, candidate of biological sciences Dmitry Musolin told 360 about this.

“Insects and ticks are really very selective about this and will not bite every person. First of all, the smell that comes from the body is important. For example, mosquitoes will not fly to everyone. Maybe the composition of the blood. But this applies only to blood-sucking and arachnids, for example, it does not apply to bees,” he emphasized.

Sergei Izhevsky noted that it is quite difficult to scare insects away from humans - not all smells can have the desired effect. Scientists spent a very long time choosing exactly those substances that could protect people from bites.

“It took a very long time to select a material that repels insects and ticks from humans - the so-called repellent. The drugs found do not include perfumes. Such things are specially selected,” the interlocutor noted.

Natural death of a mosquito bite

Who would have thought that a simple “snack” could lead to death. Another way to express a mosquito bite is: “For dinner it’s like going to war.”

He dies from his own bite, or rather from his own saliva. When saliva causes itching, a person will scratch this place without thinking. Thus, it will drive away or even kill the insect. As a result, the mosquito may be left without “lunch” or die.

Interestingly, a mosquito can suck more blood than it weighs. This prevents him from taking off, and therefore kills him.

To avoid getting bitten, it is better to use products that repel various insects with their smell, and not just mosquitoes.

Sources

• https://FB.ru/post/environment/2019/5/31/104188
• https://DomoVreditel.ru/komary/pochemu-komary-pyut-krov
• https://klopkan.ru/komary/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary/
• https://notklop.ru/komary/o-komarah/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary/
• https://rci76.ru/klopy/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary-bolshe-vsego.html
• https://parazitdoma.ru/drugie-parazity/pochemu-komary-pyut-krov
• https://krasnayakrov.ru/gruppy-krovi/kakuyu-lyubyat-komary.html
• https://apest.ru/komary/o-komarah/kakuyu-gruppu-krovi-lyubyat-komary/

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How long can they live in an apartment?

Despite the peculiarity of dipterans to adapt to climatic conditions, the temperature regime largely determines their lifespan. Life of a female:

• +23°C and above – up to 43 days;
• +20-23°C – up to 58 days;
• +15-20°C – up to 114 days;
• +10-15°C – up to 120 days.

The life of a male under the same temperature conditions will be approximately 2 times shorter, and after mating it does not exceed 5 days; the female is not limited in mating games. The temperature in the apartments of most people is 20-25 degrees, based on this, we can conclude that a female can live in such conditions for 1.5-2 months, a male for 20-30 days. Moreover, having the opportunity to feed on blood, a female individual will regularly hatch larvae in damp places in the room, populating the house with a new generation.

To prevent blood-sucking insects from entering your home as little as possible, mosquito nets are placed on the windows. However, in practice, such means of protection do not give 100% results; squeaks still enter the house through the front door or otherwise. Many chemicals have been invented to combat insects, but they may not be suitable if there are allergy sufferers and small children in the house, so the safest methods are considered to be keeping plants at home: geranium, elderberry, marigold, basil, lemongrass, lilac, bird cherry. The use of aromatic oils is also effective: geranium, eucalyptus, cedar, anise, tea tree, basil.

Sources

• https://klopkan.ru/komary/skolko-zhivet-komar-v-kvartire-posle-ukusa-i-bez-krovi-cheloveka-2/
• https://TaraKlop.ru/komary/skolko-zhivut-komary/
• https://apest.ru/komary/ukusy-komarov/skolko-raz-kusaet-komar/
• https://kipmu.ru/skolko-raz-mozhet-kusatsya-odin-i-tot-zhe-komar/
• https://sandezeco.ru/skolko-zhivut-komary-posle-ukusa-cheloveka/
• https://notklop.ru/komary/ukusy-komarov/skolko-raz-kusaet-komar/