Summertime is calling us to spend most of the time in outdoors. This also means we have to share our space with mosquitoes.
It is proven by medical science that one in every five people is especially attractive to the little bloodsuckers. Mosquitoes find their prey by smell.
The sensory organs of mosquito can pick up the smell of carbon-di-oxide and lactic acid from an impressive 50 yards away.
When you use chemical repellent it’s the DEET that works as a masking agent so suppress the smell of lactic acid and carbon-di-oxide.
As mosquitoes can’t smell so they leave you alone. It is a common misconception among people that they think mosquitoes prefer certain blood types.
But the fact is people who emit more smell are more attracted to mosquitoes.
There are around 400 aromatic compounds that make up human body smell so each of us has a unique scent.
Among these 400 aromatic compounds about 30 of them have a masking effect.
If your body contains any of these 30 aromatic components this will make you less visible to mosquitoes which in turn explains why some people are more prone to mosquito bites.
So, is there a way to manipulate your smell by consuming food? Well, there is…
The smell of garlic is known to repel mosquitoes hence offering mild protection.
Eating garlic helps you from the odor on your breath and with the sulfur components that you emit through your skin. Use of garlic scented lotion is very effective as well.
A study way back in 1960 proved that vitamin B1, otherwise known as thiamine is very effective in discouraging mosquitoes.
Thiamine actually causes a skin odor that female mosquitoes seem to find offensive.
Vitamin B1 is water soluble so there is no danger in consuming high doses of this vitamin. The excess part will drain out with urine and sweat.
According to chemistry professors’ salty foods and potassium rich food increases the volume of lactic acid which in turn makes you more attractive to mosquitoes.
The irony is fruits and vegetables are potassium rich and it’s off-course not the recommendation to stay away from fruits and vegetables.
The plan is to create alternatives like you can eat apples, watermelon, cabbage, blueberries and green peppers instead of prunes, raisins, spinach, potatoes bananas and lima beans which are particularly high in potassium content.
Another way of repelling mosquitoes is not to exercise too much in outdoor when mosquitoes are around.
At the time of exercise you emit more lactic acid and carbon-di-oxide which brings mosquitoes flying to bite you.
Wear light colored cloths during early morning and twilight because these times are considered as mosquito rush hour.
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