’Tis the season of the mozzie bites. Whether you’re catching some rays on holiday or enjoying your own garden on a summer’s evening, more often than not, something high-pitched, buzzy and downright annoying comes along to ruin your fun – and I’m not talking about your spouse or children.
While I find myself bitten alive most summers, I have more than one person in my life who always seems to escape nibble-free. So, I’ve sought out the advice of some pros to find out why I’m more tasty than others and how I can best protect myself this summer – and there’s one tip that truly surprised me.
‘If you feel like a mosquito magnet while others are left alone, it is not your imagination. Research, including extensive studies from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), shows that mosquitoes are highly selective.’ says Genevieve Faherty, Regulatory Affairs Director at Citrefine, a UK company specialising in natural insect repellent ingredients, and a biopesticide regulation expert.
So if, like me, you’re sick of scratching and want to stand the best chance against these airborne invaders this summer, here’s everything you need to know about what attracts them, what keeps them away and the one trick you need to try today.
The clothing mistake attracting mosquitoes
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James Rhoades, Founder of ThermoPest, a UK pest control company blew my mind with this seriously underrated tip. Turns out the trick to keeping mosquitoes away from us could be lying in our wardrobes.
‘One factor, which is particularly interesting, is the colour of clothing you choose to wear,’ says James. ‘Mosquitoes use visual cues at close range, and darker colours can stand out more, so you are more likely to get bitten if you are wearing dark clothing.’ Dark colours create a stronger visual contrast with the surrounding environment, making it easier for them to spot potential hosts and latch on.
So when it comes to packing for your holiday this year, maybe leave that black summer dress at home and opt for some brighter, bolder options. I know I will.
6 things making you more attractive to mosquitoes
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CO2: ‘Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is mosquitoes long-range radar. They can smell CO2 from up to 50 metres away,’ claims Genevieve. ‘Adults with higher metabolic rates, larger people, and pregnant women exhale more CO2, instantly painting a target on their backs.’
Odour: Now, I’m not saying you smell – but I am saying mosquitoes like smelly scents. ‘As they get closer, smell takes over,’ warns Genevieve. ‘Human sweat contains lactic acid, uric acid and ammonia, which they love.’ One of the many reasons they appear more in the summer, and especially with these current heatwaves – sweat is not hard to come by.
Heat: And the cause of that sweat is also enticing to these bloodsuckers. ‘In the final approach, mosquitoes use thermal sensors to find areas where blood is closest to the surface,’ says Genevieve. Mosquitoes are attracted to body heat because it helps them locate the best place to bite once they’re already close to a person. They don’t use heat to find you from long distances, that’s mainly the job of carbon dioxide, but it becomes an important cue during the final stage of their search.
Pregnancy: You may have heard that pregnant women feel like they get bitten more than everyone else, well this is actually not as much of a myth as it may sound. ‘Pregnancy can also make someone more attractive to mosquitoes as pregnant women generally produce more body heat and carbon dioxide. However, this depends on the individual and is not guaranteed,’ says James.
Weather conditions: Most pest behaviour is often dictated by temperature and humidity levels. ‘Recent weather in the UK matters, especially as summers are getting warmer,’ warns James. ‘Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, a mix of rainfall followed by warm weather can create ideal conditions for them to breed, even a small amount of water in a plant saucer, bucket or blocked gutter can become an ideal breeding site for mosquitos.’
Water: ‘The biggest problem area for mosquitos is around homes which have stagnant water,’ says James. ‘This can be from a range of different things including; shaded damp corners, overgrown vegetation, water butts (without tight lids), blocked drains, ponds without movement, bird baths, paddling pools and plant trays.’ So, if you’re finding you’re getting a lot of bites at home, it’s worth doing a sweep around the home and eliminating any of these mosquito magnets. 5 things to help get rid of mosquitoes
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Source reducing: ‘The single most effective step you can take is source reduction,’ says Genevieve. ‘Tip out any stagnant water weekly. Put tight-fitting lids on water storage, clear your gutters and change bird bath water frequently. Inside the house, keeping windows and doors closed during peak biting hours or installing simple mesh screens remains the best line of physical defence.’
Block their entry: Sounds obvious, but it’s worth saying – taking precautions to keep them out the house will keep them from biting you. ‘Fit or repair window screens where possible,’ says James.
Don’t rely on natural remedies alone: While essential oils and other natural remedies can be effective with certain pests, it’s not enough, according to James. ‘Citronella, essential oils and mosquito-repellent plants are often overstated. They may have a short-term masking effect very close to the source, but they are not a reliable barrier. A lavender plant on the patio will not protect an entire garden.’
And Genevive agrees, ‘The bottom line is you can absolutely keep your family’s summer routine green and natural. Just skip the standard citronella candles and look for products powered by Citriodiol or oil of lemon eucalyptus to get plant-based protection you can actually trust.’
Be extra vigilant at dawn and dusk. Many mosquito species are most active during these times so take extra precautions if you’re outside.
Use a fan outdoors. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so moving air can make it harder for them to land on you – and it lowers your body temperature and sweat levels all at the same time.