Ever wonder why mosquitoes like you? If you have particularly smelly feet, they should love you. But that isn’t the only reason as these annoying blood suckers like all of us for different reasons and it is all based on smell.
According to researchers at Vanderbilt University, mosquitoes have hundreds of extra sensitive hair-like smell receptors on their antennae which give them the ability to ‘smell’ their human prey from great distances. Not only are they attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale but humans, unlike other species, produce ammonia in our foot odor and lactic acid through our sweat. Our sweat is kind of like a mosquito magnet and the combination of compounds we emit offers up an irresistible All-You-Can-Eat Buffet for a hungry, blood-thirsty parasite.
In particular, they really like the ammonia emitted by smelly feet which may explain all the bites around the ankles…
Of course only females feed on humans. They need a blood meal in order to reproduce so if you happen to kill a mosquito in mid-meal and displace a messy splash of your own blood in the violent explosion, you have absolutely killed a female. Although you may have the annoying after-effect of an ugly, itchy welt, you can at least be satisfied knowing you’ve saved the world from a few hundred future mosquitoes.
So what is the significance of knowing that mosquitoes have exceptionally sensitive smellers? The key is to mask the odors they like or to find something that is a repellent stronger than the lure of the unmistakable human odors. Either trick them or force them away with something so offensive, that they won’t think of getting through it. Is this Science Fiction?
NO! We already have the ability to repel mosquitoes as well as cover up the tantalizing human aroma. So what are we waiting for?
First step is to have a complete shift in thinking about mosquitoes and throw out the mindset that synthetic chemical pesticides are the answer. They are not! These only work for a short period of time and in the hope of continuing effectiveness, the manufacturers crank up the toxicity level to the point where they are more lethal to humans and the environment but are less effective on pests. Synthetic chemical pesticides are not a viable solution for mosquitoes.
Second step is to look for safe, green and natural options. The truth is, Nature has all the checks and balances that we would ever need so it is just a matter of plugging into Nature and using her solutions rather than man-made concoctions. So what is deadly to mosquitoes but harmless to humans, animals and the rest of the environment?
The essential oil of cedar is perfect! Think about cedar chests and closets where you never see a bug… Cedar has been used for centuries for pest control and that is because cedar is deadly to pests. Bingo!
So cedar masks the scent of humans AND it repels mosquitoes since to them it is the scent of death. It is natural, has no side effects and is harmless to all things we hold dear. Find a convenient, ‘green’, and safe liquid form of cedar and you will become invisible to mosquitoes.
Even if you have smelly feet!