Some human scents increase attacks from mosquitos
A wet start to spring followed by hot, dry temperatures means it has been the perfect storm for mosquitos to make a rapid return to our region.
Everyone has had a welt or two thanks to a mosquito, but some people seem to be a direct target for the insect.
A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University indicates that some people may attract the itchy pest more than others.
According to researchers, some human scents increase attacks from the pesky bug, leading them to hunt the same person over and over.
"So it’s believed that people who are more attractive to mosquitos are releasing more of these particularly attractive chemicals, either through our sweat or in our exhaled breath," researcher Stephanie Rankin-Turner, of Johns Hopkins University, said.
Late April rains and increasing temperatures overnight combined with hot, sunny days this week throughout northeastern Ontario have meant a population boom for mosquitos.
"Well, now they’ve all emerged at the same time and that’s why we feel as if we’re a bit overwhelmed. Frankly, what has happened this season is a bit later, and now they’ve all kind of emerged at the same time," Science North staff scientist Bruce Doran said.
A common misconception is that the female insects are biting you to drink your blood.
"Mosquitos are not feeding on us as such. They actually feed on nectar from plants and things like that, so the females only take blood from us in order to reproduce, in order to make babies," Doran said.
Becoming itchy is not the only reason to avoid being bitten by mosquitos, they can also carry diseases.
"We get some dengue cases, West Nile virus and in terms in what people need to be aware of, of course, if you get a mosquito bite, you don’t know if that mosquito’s infected or not. Fortunately, mosquito-born disease isn’t too big of a problem in the US and Canada," said Rankin-Turner.
Although you can spray around your house, you run the risk of killing other insects that are natural predators of the mosquito.
Doran said there are things you can do to protect yourself from being bitten.
"Long-sleeve clothing, you can wear a whole bug suit, not to be out at night because that’s when the mosquitos tend to be more active, and then the best protection is actually using some of those sprays," he said.
In addition to repellent and light-coloured clothing, the most effective way to keep mosquito populations down around your home is to remove still water. So if you have a birdbath or outdoor dog bowl, make sure you are changing the water.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.