How to Protect Yourself from Mosquitos

I hate mosquitos.  You probably do as well.  In this article, I am going to teach you how to protect yourself from mosquitos, especially those carrying the Zika virus.

The Aedes Mosquito and the Zika Virus

The Zika virus is carried by the Aedes mosquito.  The scary thing is that the Aedes mosquito visits a large portion of the United States.  Basically, if you live along the coasts, or in the southern part of the U.S., you are at risk.  Here is a map, to see if your home is at risk from this mosquito.

The Aedes mosquito is an aggressive mosquito.  It hunts human blood and will even enter into your house.

The Aedes mosquito has recently invaded the U.S.  This mosquito can be identified by the black and white markings on their body and legs.  Unlike most mosquitos, the Aedes mosquito bites during the day.

The Zika virus has already caused countless birth defects in South America.  It may even cause permanent paralysis.  Even if you don't live in an Aedes mosquito infested area and don't travel, you could still get infected from a loved one who has recently visited the coastal or southern regions of the U.S.

While the media is focussed on the Zika virus, it is important to remember that this is not the only mosquito-borne disease.  For example, the West Nile virus, elephantiasis, dengue fever, yellow fever etc. are all carried by mosquitos.

Why do mosquitos bite?

Actually, not all mosquitos bite.  Only the females do.

This is because they need a protein from your blood to help them reproduce.  Thus, your blood helps even more mosquitos enter into this world.

Are you a mosquito magnet?

Do you always seem to be the one that is munched on by mosquitos?  I know I often feel that way.  Is there any truth that some people are actually mosquito magnets?

According to medical studies, the answer is yes.  The first step in how to protect yourself from mosquitos, is to minimize those things that make you a mosquito magnet.

Here are six proven ways you can become a mosquito magnet.  To see the study supporting each way you can become a mosquito magnet, click on the link.

1. You have type O blood.

According to a controversial study, people with type O blood are twice as likely to be bitten than those with type A blood.  Type B blooded people are somewhere between the Os and As.

2. You exercise outside.

This is probably the main reason why I seem to be a mosquito magnet.  I love exercising outside.

Unfortunately, mosquitos are attracted to movement, heat, carbon dioxide, and lactic acid.  Thus, anyone exercising outside, like me, instantly becomes a mosquito magnet.

3. You are pregnant.

In a study of 72 women in Gambia, pregnant women were twice as likely to attract mosquitos.  As mosquitos are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide, researchers suggest that this is the reason why pregnant women are targets.

4. You have the right skin smell.

The bacteria living on your skin emit a characteristic smell.  Depending on which bacteria live on your skin, you may have the right smell that attracts a mosquito.

5. You wear dark clothes.

Mosquitos prefer dark colors.  Indeed, this is why studies show that black mosquito traps perform the best at attracting mosquitos.

For some people, like me, this is a hard fact to live with.  Black is my favorite clothing color.  Based on my review of the medical literature, I am now trying to wear light colored exercise clothing.

6. You drink alcohol.

Strange as it may seem, drinking alcohol attracted mosquitos in one study.  Unfortunately, the researchers offered no reason for this unexpected finding.

How to Protect Yourself from Mosquitos

The second step in how to protect yourself from mosquitos, is to take specific actions to minimize the risk of a serious bite.  Here are my top three recommendations.

1. Avoid Outbreaks.

Right now, the biggest global outbreak is with the Zika virus.