Posted on 07/28/2013 2:33:10 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Why mosquitoes prefer some people over others
ANI | 22nd Jul 2013
For years, scientists and researchers have had trouble explaining the reason behind mosquitoes' preference to choose one person while ignoring the others.
According to Jerry Butler, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Florida, mosquitoes get attracted to cholesterol and steroids on the surface of skin, the Washington Times reported.
He said that people with a more efficient metabolism could have a higher cholesterol concentration on the surface of their skin - not their blood - than others, thereby attracting more bites.
Joe Conlon, PhD, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association, said that any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance.
(Excerpt) Read more at deccanchronicle.com ...
This isn’t really cheering at the moment. My husband just left with my blood slide to the local lab. They’re checking to see if I have malaria. Results in about 30 minutes.
Malaria? Are you in Peru or something?
I hope you do not.
According to her hommepage, they are in Indonesia. At least they were 9 years ago.
Just sent a prayer.
I am in Papua, Indonesia.
The results are back. Negative for malaria. Yea! Thank you for praying.
The lab reported “leukocytes high” which means “undiagnosed infection somewhere caused by something we don’t know yet.” That explains why I feel bad.
But I will confess to O+ blood (along with many, many folks on the planet).
Someone told me that eating lots of garlic is an effective ward against attracting mosquitos. Along with attracting everything else, of course.
Big doses of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) will ward off biting insects.
I haven’t heard that one, but it’s funny how B6 seems so recommended for various reasons. As a result, I just happen to have plenty on hand.
So when are they going to do a study on those danged biting yellow flies? I can handle the state birds but those flies make me swell up like a balloon.
I’ve been eating garlic & onions regularly, for 15+yrs, and have not been bitten by a mosquito or stung by a bee/wasp.
My theory is, “If you smell like Listerine, I don’t wanna know you. But if you smell like garlic & onions, we’re friends.”
Hint: put peeled garlic cloves in EVOO, in Mason jar, nuke numerous times for 1-2 mins each time, let cool, until they turn purple; EVOO absorbs the raw garlic oil taste and is great for cooking, but garlic is sweet and very tasty, almost like eating M&Ms.
I can buy 500 peeled garlic cloves ($20) at local store in very lg jar, but I transfer 50-60 to Mason jars and fill to top w/ EVOO, and keep on bottom shelf of ‘fridge. Nuke as I need ‘em.
For those who do not know what EVOO is: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Hope you feel better soon. I feel for ya. Going on for nearly two weeks of feeling really icky from kidney infection. Worst I have ever felt in my life. Still on antibiotics and back is still hurting on left side. Being sick ain’t no fun. :(
” Hey, I’m a boozer with O blood and high cholesterol and mosquitoes still hate me. “
Hehe , me , too . They always go for my wife who has low bad cholesterol and does not drink .
And those HURT!!
Thanks.
I read, years ago, in my son’s pharmacy textbook, that Type O blood was the attractant that mosquitoes loved. I believed it as I am B negative and have never been bothered by bugs of any kind.....despite high cholesterol!
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