Are you being eaten by mosquitoes? Science can give you relief

It’s summer, you’ve been sweating a bit, drinking a beer and suddenly it starts: the mosquitoes attack and ruin your evening. Surely it must be possible to prevent this complaint? Scientists have even conducted several studies on the link between certain factors and mosquito bites in humans. Maisie Vollans, a mosquito ecologist at the University of Oxford, summarized the findings in an article on The Conversation.

But one point right away: the biggest factor in mosquito bites is genetics. However, you can influence the amount with these precautions:

In a new 2023 study, scientists were able to show that some soap scents attract mosquitoes and others repel them. This is the result:

But the same applies here: genetics come first. So the scents don’t work the same for everyone, but it’s still worth a try.

You are what you eat. And if you eat bananas, you will get bitten. Here’s what a 2018 US study found. Mosquitos were attracted to the smell of bananas on the hands of the eaters. The same experiment was repeated with grapes, but they had no effect on mosquitoes.

If you’re more of a repressor and like beer, move on to the next point. Because a study from 2010 shows that people who have drunk beer are particularly attractive to mosquitoes. On the other hand, those who drink water do not run an increased risk. The question remains whether the beer is worth the risk.

That sweating attracts mosquitoes has been sufficiently proven by science. Another study found that certain deodorants can deter mosquitoes. The results of the study show that the pesky leeches are only half as likely to land on skin surfaces treated with isopropyl myristate – the compound commonly used in deodorants.

Insecticides are less environmentally and skin friendly, but all the more effective against mosquitoes. Diethyltoluamide (DEET) in particular stands out. This deters mosquitoes for a very long time, according to a Chinese study.

Spraying insecticides on clothing is also helpful, as this study shows. Garments treated with DEET or permethrin were much more effective at repelling mosquitoes than untreated fabrics.

In addition to the above tools, there are various home remedies circulating as mosquito repellent. Some of them might actually work, but haven’t been scientifically tested yet. However, what does not help: vitamin B and garlic. Both have been researched and refuted. So drink one beer less! (lion)