A natural scientist has revealed the real reason why some people are more sensitive to mosquito bites than others.
While many believe different blood types attract mosquitoes, biology researcher Ellie Sursara said the insects tend to bite people who have a higher metabolic rate and therefore emit more carbon dioxide.
The 35-year-old from the Gold Coast Hinterland told FEMAIL that people emit more CO2 when they are pregnant, sweat excessively or drink alcohol.
Mosquitoes also thrive in warm, sultry weather, so an Australian barbecue with people enjoying a beer is a haven from the pesky insects.
Ellie said there are some measures people can take to prevent an itchy mosquito bite, but she said the most effective method is to cover up and stay clean.
Wildlife scientist Ellie Sursara (pictured) has revealed why some people are more susceptible to mosquito bites than others and how you can avoid being bitten this summer
Many people have claimed that mosquitoes are attracted to specific blood types, but Ellie said there was little concrete evidence to support this claim.
“The question of whether mosquitoes prefer a certain blood type is controversial and quite debatable,” she said.
‘It’s clearly an area that’s still being researched, but the current consensus is that it’s people with high metabolic rates.’
More carbon dioxide is released by mosquitoes with a higher metabolism, which female mosquitoes are attracted to during reproduction.
“Male mosquitoes don’t bite, so if you get a little more lactic acid or heat from your body, you’ll get bitten by a female mosquito,” Ellie explained.
The insects bite people with a higher metabolism and releasing more carbon dioxide. This happens in people who are pregnant, sweating or drinking alcohol (stock image)
‘What they actually do is they take some proteins from our blood and use that to produce their eggs. So it’s part of getting their proteins for their reproduction.”
The bad news is that Ellie says if you’re prone to mosquito bites, there’s little that can be done to prevent them – but there are some ways to reduce the risk.
‘Preventing mosquito bites is quite difficult. You’ll probably find this happening unless you’ve showered properly, don’t drink alcohol, aren’t pregnant and wear long pants,” she said.
“One of the best things you can do to prevent mosquitoes is to cover up. Wearing long pants and having socks is ideal because the less surface area you have, the less likely you are to be bitten.’
The climate is also an important factor.
“Mosquitoes thrive in generally warm and humid climates… if you were to go to Tasmania you’re not as likely to be overrun by mosquitoes as you would be in Cairns or another tropical region,” Ellie said.
Ellie said that aerosol repellents that many people apply to their skin can be a hit when it comes to stopping mosquito bites and are often used when it is too late.
‘Aerosols work for some people and not for others. They work, but they don’t do anything if you’re bitten,” she said.
“When you’re outside and having a barbecue, you worry about everything at first and then you think about the mosquito bite after you’ve been bitten.”
“They’re good preventive measures, but they don’t do much after you’re bitten, and that’s when most people tend to want relief and a cure.”
Before an outdoor gathering, Ellie also recommended lighting citronella candles early in the evening and making sure there are no puddles of standing water nearby.
“Make sure you don’t have bodies of water that remain for days. So fresh dog bowls, don’t overwater the plants and use pool covers,” she suggested.
Ellie herself is very sensitive to being bitten by insect repellent and has had quite a few bites because she is ‘very outdoorsy’ and often pursues her hobby of nature photography with her partner.
“I could get sprayed and sit next to a citronella candle and they would still come for me,” she said.
Ellie swears by the Bug Bite Thing, a suction tool that provides instant relief from itching, swelling and stings caused by mosquitoes just released in Australia
“They’re so itchy that they can ruin the rest of the evening or walk, you just feel like you’re constantly scratching.”
She now swears by a unique new product just launched in Australia called Bug bite thinga suction instrument that provides immediate relief from itching, swelling and stinging sensation caused by mosquitoes.
“It’s actually a really useful tool to just have in your everyday kit, whether for a walk or a hike or for an outdoor barbecue,” Ellie said.
‘You have that instant remedy for itching and redness. I’ve never seen a product like this before and I’ve probably tried everything.’