Have you ever wondered why some people get bit by mosquitoes more than others? There are rumors why. That includes the perfume you wear, to the food you eat, as to why mosquitoes may be picky eaters.
Nobody likes a mosquito bite, but that's not a problem for Jennifer Hurst. "I don't seem to be bothered by them as much as my family members," she said.
Jennifer doesn't know why, but she does have a theory. "I'm sure it comes down to genetics and what your body's comprised of that maybe draws them in, has more of an interest," she said.
Dr. Alex Arroliga is not an entomologist, but he is the Chair of Medicine at Scott & White. He says Jennifer is close. "There are some hormones or substances that we exhale or that we have in our skin that will provide different stimuli for the mosquitoes," he said.
One is carbon dioxide, and pregnant women produce more CO2 than others.
"Acetone, lactic acid some of these are the substances that have been described in the medical literature," said Dr. Arrigola.
"I definitely get bit, a lot," said Stevian Few. He doesn't know why mosquitoes like him so much, but he's already getting tired of it. "After a while all the itching and itching and scratching and all the creams you gotta buy and stuff like that."
As for Jennifer, she still won't take the risk on getting bit. "If we're going outside to play or something like that I make sure everybody gets sprayed down, including myself, just in case," she said.
Now we know that mosquitoes are attracted to more hormones than others, but everyone is still at risk. So don't forget to use your DEET and put on long sleeves when you go outside during dawn or dusk.
And of course, you can protect your yard from mosquitoes. Remove any standing water, clean your bird baths every week, and drill holes in any tire swings so water can drain out.
