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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.