THOMPSON: How not to become lunch for mosquitoes

My wife, Bonnie, is a mosquito magnet. And since we spend lots of time in warm weather near water…six months in British Columbia and six months in Florida…it’s mosquito season for her nearly year-round.

She’s such a target…I once thought about using her to decide whether we host friends and family outdoors or not. But, if a mosquito bites her, it not only itches…she usually gets a welt that lasts for a week…and that’s if she doesn’t scratch.

Of course, all mosquitos aren’t the enemy. Only female mosquitos “bite”…they need proteins and iron found in my wife’s (and others) blood to produce eggs. This drives their biting behaviour…which not only irritates bare skin but can transmit diseases… like West Nile Virus and Zika, among others.

If you’re like Bonnie, you’d do well to learn how to identify female mosquitos. Females are larger than males…have less bushy antennae…and tend to fly alone, while males tend to swarm with other males.

Also, females have sharp mouthparts that allow them to puncture your skin…males don’t…but unless you walk around with a magnifying glass, so what? By the way, it’s protein-laden mosquito saliva that sparks a mild allergic reaction from your immune system…hence the inflammation and itching.

There’s no real cure…other than the passing of time. Yes, calamine lotion, and anti-histamines might help. Also, you can use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment, ice, aspirin, aloe vera and even an oatmeal bath…but there’s no miracle cure that stops swelling and itching instantly.

So, do everything you can to understand the pint-size Draculas…and do what you can to avoid them. If you have Type O or AB blood…guess what…mosquitos like you and, yes, they know if you have those blood types. Nearly 80 percent of us emit a secretion that – while undetectable to us – indicates blood type to female mosquitos.

The more you breathe…the easier it is for the mosquitos to find you. We take in oxygen from the air we breathe…and exhale carbon dioxide. Mosquitos – male and female – can detect carbon dioxide from as far away as the length of a football field. 

That’s why you seem to notice them buzzing around your head when you’re having your favourite drink by the pool. Contrary to myth, both sexes of mosquito buzz…but since females are bigger they don’t have to move their wings as much and are, well, more quiet.

Body heat, perspiration and odours all combine to draw mosquitos, as well. If you’re more warm-natured…more physically active…or tried that new perfume before the garden party…mosquitos are gonna love you.

Each of us emits an odour based on – among other things – the type and level of bacteria on our skin. So, yes, mosquitos bite some of us more than others because they like the way we smell…even if your girlfriend doesn’t like your cologne. 

Those of us who have higher levels of carboxylic acid on our skins – a product of heredity and individuality – give mosquitos yet another way of detecting us poolside.

Not much formal research has been conducted on whether what you eat makes you easy pickings for the little pests, though a University of Wisconsin study found people who are banana-eaters get bit by mosquitos twice as much.

After using their keen sense of smell to get near you, mosquitos can see their targets anywhere from 15 feet to almost 50 feet away. Seems mosquitos are drawn to darker colours – especially green and black – as opposed to lighter colours like white, gray or beige. If mosquitos otherwise find you…try a different colour bathing suit.

What else can you do to minimize bites? Mosquitos apparently like sunrises and sunsets…dawn and dusk are their favourite times to graze on us. Empty any rainwater that might gather around the house, and freshen the water in fountains and bird baths at least once a week. 

You might grow a huge bed of Marigolds nearby…they hate those…or an herb garden laden with Basil, Mint and Rosemary. You can try a variety of insecticides…but if you’re saving the environment…consider a bunch of different natural oils that mosquitos hate…Citronella, Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint and Garlic.

You can try an cover up…but if you’re like Bonnie, if you have a few square inches of skin available…Ms. Mosquito is gonna find you. Well, at least you have a few months to develop your own anti-biting strategy for Summer around the pool.