Mosquitoes: These scents attract the bloodsuckers

mosquitoes
These scents attract the bloodsuckers

Summer 2023 has finally arrived. Because of the high temperatures, Germans now regularly go to bathing lakes, river banks and outdoor pools. There you can enjoy the heat combined with cold water. If only it weren’t for these little troublemakers: the mosquitoes. Insects feel particularly at home near bodies of water and like to sting. But it doesn’t happen to everyone equally often. Some even seem to be spared the mosquitoes. Why can that be? New research suggests that each person’s smell plays a big role.

Human sweat is beguiling

In the journal “Current Biology” a study was recently published examining the behavior of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae in African Zambia. Researchers discovered that certain substances that people excrete through their sweat glands are particularly attractive to mosquitoes. The mosquitoes were strongly attracted by the carboxylic acids butyric acid or isovaleric acid contained in human sweat. These two substances are mainly responsible for the musty smell of feet and sweat.

According to the researchers, acetoin, a substance on human skin that contributes to the growth of bacteria, also attracts mosquitoes. According to this research, taking a quick shower might help get rid of body odor for the time being. The study also found that the scent of eucalyptol, i.e. the bitingly fresh scent of eucalyptus, is more likely to deter mosquitoes. The substance is often found in care products or cough drops.

Nevertheless, the study should be treated with caution. The scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore examined only six people and only one species of mosquito. The results cannot be used to draw universal conclusions about all people and mosquitoes in the world.

You should avoid this soap smell

Another study which was also published by “Current Biology”., also studied the effect of soap on mosquitoes. Virginia Tech researchers found that certain soap smells are particularly attractive to mosquitoes – including pineapple and floral scents. Mosquitoes find the aroma of coconut and almonds less interesting. Here, too, only four test persons were analyzed.

However, there are a few foods and plants that have proven to be good mosquito repellents. The garlic plant, for example, produces essential oils that can deter mosquitoes. The essential oils released by lavender also deter bloodsuckers. Tomatoes and basil are also considered good mosquito repellents. It is also a good idea to buy special scented candles or lotions that keep mosquitoes away.

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