What determines your desireability in terms of mosquitos?
492835
It depends on what color clothing you are wearing (blue is attractive), if you're wearing any perfumes, what you've just eaten, and a bit on your blood composition. Mosquitos are also more attracted to males.
1011917
The itchiness is not caused directly by the mosquito's bite or the chemicals in the mosquito spit but by the body's immune response to them. Your immune system releases histamine, a protein involved in many allergic reactions, in order to fight off a foreign substance. The histamine causes swelling around the puncture wound as blood rushes to the affected area, and as a side effect makes you itch. \n\nWho knew?\nI prefer to squish them before they get a chance to bite me!
1023461
Media releases concerning the possibility of mosquitoes transmitting AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) were common when the disease was first recognized, and the subject is still addressed by tabloids that seek captivating headlines to increase their circulation. The topic was initiated by reports from a small community in southern Florida where preliminary evidence suggested that mosquitoes may have been responsible for the higher on average incidence of AIDS in the local population. The media was quick to publicize claims that mosquitoes were involved in AIDS transmission despite findings of scientific surveys of the National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that clearly demonstrated that mosquito transmission of AIDS in that community appeared highly unlikely. Nevertheless, media releases perpetuated the concept that mosquitoes transmitted AIDS, and many people still feel that mosquitoes may be responsible for transmission of this infection from one individual to another. \n\n     There are three theoretical mechanisms which would allow blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes to transmit HIV.\n\n1. In the first mechanism, a mosquito would initiate the cycle by feeding on an HIV positive carrier and ingest virus particles with the blood meal. For the virus to be passed on, it would have to survive inside the mosquito, preferably increase in numbers, and then migrate to the mosquito's salivary glands. The infected mosquito would then seek its second blood meal from an uninfected host and transfer the HIV from its salivary glands during the course of the bite. This is the mechanism used by most mosquito-borne parasites, including malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and the encephalitis viruses.\n\n2. In the second mechanism, a mosquito would initiate the cycle by beginning to feed on an HIV carrier and be interrupted after it had successfully drawn blood. Instead of resuming the partial blood meal on its original host, the mosquito would select an AIDS-free person to complete the meal. As it penetrated the skin of the new host, the mosquito would transfer virus particles that were adhering to the mouthparts from the previous meal. This mechanism is not common in mosquito-borne infections, but equine infectious anemia is transmitted to horses by biting flies in this manner.\n\n3. The third theoretical mechanism also involves a mosquito that is interrupted while feeding on an HIV carrier and resumes the partial blood meal on a different individual. In this scenario, however, the AIDS-free host squashes the mosquito as it attempts to feed and smears HIV contaminated blood into the wound. In theory, any of the mosquito-borne viruses could be transmitted in this manner providing the host circulated sufficient virus particles to initiate re-infection by contamination.\n\n     Each of these mechanisms has been investigated with a variety of blood sucking insects and the results clearly show that mosquitoes cannot transmit AIDS. News reports on the findings, however, have been confusing, and media interpretation of the results has not been clear. The average person is still not convinced that mosquitoes are not involved in the transmission of a disease that appears in the blood, is passed from person to person and can be contracted by persons that share hypodermic needles. Here are just some of the reasons why the studies showed that mosquitoes cannot transmit AIDS:\n\n \n\n  Mosquitoes Digest the Virus that Causes AIDS\n\n\n    When a mosquito transmits a disease agent from one person to another, the infectious agent must remain alive inside the mosquito until transfer is completed. If the mosquito digests the parasite, the transmission cycle is terminated and the parasite cannot be passed on to the next host. Successful mosquito-borne parasites have a number of interesting ways to avoid being treated as food. Some are refractory to the digestive enzymes inside the mosquito's stomach; most bore their way out of the stom
1052143
Mosquitoes do not actually “bite” humans; they “feed” on them. Female mosquitoes require protein to produce their eggs and obtain this protein from the blood of humans and other animals.  Only the females feed.  I think they're also attracted to scents that some humans emit.  I also heard once that they don't bother people who are tanned near as much as a non tanned person.  I'm not sure how true that is if at all.
1027377
Sexual Pheromones and Sexual Desire\n\n\nImagine an invisible, undetectable force that's powerful enough to override your sense of reason yet draws you to someone with an almost animal passion. These aren't Cupid's mythological arrows, but real shots of human pheromones. Scientists have been researching for years whether or not humans, like other animals, exude these secret scents, with attention focused on a small organ composed of two small pits a few centimeters up the nose. \nBiologists describe pheromones as "smellprints" supposedly as unique to each of us as our fingerprints. Smell is the most primitive of human senses and, unlike sight and touch, travels a direct route to the brain's limbic lobe where it can provoke an emotional reaction that can, quite literally, be a turn-on. \n\nThere's no doubt that pheromones underlie sexual and other types of behavior in animals, but given the complex human psyche, can these invisible lust signals be all you need for love? The scientific verdict is pending, but an increasing body of evidence suggests that the chemistry of sexual attraction and arousal is more nature than nurture and quite beyond our control. Not so far-fetched a notion considering how often we speak — and sing — of sexual chemistry. \n\nLove or lust — the question hasn't stopped the fragrance industry from attempting to cash in on the accumulating knowledge about pheromones by producing synthetic versions of these elusive chemicals. True, the new fragrances aren't billed as aphrodisiacs. Instead, they're advertised as mood-enhancers designed to help you relax and shed your inhibitions. \n\nWhile there's absolutely no proof that they can deliver on any kind of erotic promise, the new pheromone perfumes are selling briskly, even to repeat customers. Which may prove, yet again, that when it comes to aphrodisiacs, nothing trumps the power of suggestion.
1142707
the answer is some people give off more body heat naturally .Mosquitoes are attracted to people who have more body heat.....if you look this up you would see that it is the scientific answer for your question...mosquitoes are not bees and are not attracted to perfume
360912
The females require protein for egg development, and since the normal mosquito diet consists of nectar and fruit juice, which has no protein, most must drink blood to get the necessary protein. Males differ from females, with mouth parts not suitable for blood sucking.\n\nFemales suck blood from any mammal before laying her eggs.
352585
The adult mosquito is entirely terrestrial and is capable of flying long distances. Both females and males feed on nectars which they use for energy. Males and females mate during the first 3 to 5 days after they have emerged. Females mate only once. Males generally live for only a week. Only the females feed on blood, which is what is occurring when they are biting. Females evidently gain little nourishment from blood meals but need them in order to develop eggs. Many mosquitoes feed on any warm-blooded bird or mammal. However, some prefer cold-blooded animals. Some species also prefer birds and seldom feed on mammals, which is the case with Culex spp. mosquitoes which are known to transmit the West Nile virus (WNV). Unfortunately many species feed on a wide range of warm-blooded mammals and humans are often attacked. Once a female has completely engorged she flies to a shaded environment until her eggs are completely developed, usually 3 to 5 days. Once the eggs are developed the female is called a gravid female and she begins to search for a desirable place to lay her eggs. If a female survives her egg laying activities, she will very soon start searching for another blood meal after which she will lay another batch of eggs. She does not need to mate a second time. Generally a female will only live long enough to lay 1 to 3 batches of eggs. \n\nMost mosquito species are actively searching for a blood meal in the evening hours from just before dark until 2 to 3 hours after dark. During the daytime the females normally rest in cooler vegetated areas where the humidity is higher and they are protected from drying out. Females will often bite in the daytime if humans or animals invade the wooded areas where they are resting. However, Aedes albopictus is an aggressive biter which prefers to feed during the daylight hours and is often a nuisance in urban areas.
16918
A mosquito flies an estimated 1 to 1.5 miles per hour. \n\nHere are some other fascinating mosquito facts. You'll notice, that a mosquito can smell you or another host from 20 to 35 meters away. So if you run fast enough to put more than that distance between you and the mosquito, then hopefully it will lose your signal and give up the chase!\n\nQ: How many species of mosquitoes are there? \nA: About 2,700.\n\nQ: And how many are resistant to at least one insecticide? \nA: More than 50.\n\nQ: What does a mosquito weigh? \nA: About 2 to 2.5 milligrams (for an Aedes aegypti).\n\nQ: How much blood does a female mosquito drink per, er, serving? \nA: About 5-millionths of a liter (for an Aedes aegypti).\n\nQ: How do mosquitoes find new hosts? \nA: By sight (they observe movement); by detecting infra-red radiation emitted by warm bodies; and by chemical signals (mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and lactic acid, among other chemicals).\n\nQ: How fast can a mosquito fly? \nA: An estimated 1 to 1.5 miles per hour.\n\nQ: How far away can a mosquito smell you or another host? \nA: 20 to 35 meters.\n\nQ: Why does a film of oil on water kill mosquito larvae? \nA: Because the oil clogs up the snorkel that the larvae use to breathe.\n\nQ: When do mosquitoes feed? \nA: Day-time. Night-time. And all times in-between. Truthfully, some species prefer different times of day or night. This behavior may have evolved to match the host's behavior.
1079324
Mosquitoes are principally nectar feeders with only the females requiring a meal of blood.  This is because the females require protein for egg development, and since the normal mosquito diet consists of nectar and fruit juice, which has no protein, most must drink blood. Males differ from females, with mouth parts not suitable for blood sucking.\n\nThe females of blood sucking species locate their victims primarily through scent. They are extremely sensitive to the carbon dioxide in exhaled breath, as well as several substances found in sweat. Some people seem to attract mosquitoes more than others. Empirical studies of mosquito bites suggest that the risk of being bitten follows an approximately negative binomial distribution. Being male, being overweight, and having type 'O' blood may increase the risk of being bitten. Mosquitoes can detect heat, so they can find warm-blooded mammals and birds very easily once they get close enough.\n\nTips on how to avoid mosquito bites:\n\n1.  removal of standing water\n2.  use of repellants\n\nMosquito repellents generally contain one of the following active ingredients: DEET, Catnip oil extract, nepetalactone, citronella, or eucalyptus oil extract. Often the best "repellent" is a fan or gentle breeze as mosquitoes do not like moving air.\n\nOther popular methods of household mosquito control include use of small electrical mats, mosquito repellent vapour, and mosquito coil, all containing a form of the chemical allethrin. Mosquito repellent candles containing Citronella oil is another method to keep mosquitoes at bay. Some lesser known methods use the cultivation of plants like wormwood or sagewort, lemon balm, lemon grass, lemon thyme and the mosquito plant (Pelargonium) which act against mosquitoes. However scientists have determined that these plants are effective only when the leaves are crushed and used.\n\nThere are several widespread theories about mosquito control such as the assertion that Vitamin B, in particular B1 Thiamine, garlic, ultrasonic devices, incense, bats, purple martins and bug zappers can be used to repel or control mosquitoes. Whether these methods are effective at deterring mosquitoes or significantly reducing mosquito populations remains disputed. Moreover, some manufacturers of "mosquito repelling" ultrasonic devices have been found to be fraudulent.\n\nAlthough bats can be prodigious consumers of insects, many of which are pests, less than 1% of a bat's diet will consist of mosquitoes; bats mostly feed on larger insects such as beetles. Bats are known carriers of rabies, so care must be taken if attempting to use bats to control insects. Similarly, bug zappers kill a wide range of flying insects including many beneficial insects as well as mosquitoes; bug zappers are not effective at controlling mosquito populations.\n\nSome newer mosquito traps, like Coleman' Mosquito Deleto or The Mosquito Magnet emit a plume of carbon dioxide together with other mosquito attractants such as chemical scents, warmth, water vapor and sounds. By mimicking a mammal, these factors draw female mosquitoes toward the trap, where they are typically sucked into a net or holder where they collect. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, "these devices will, indeed, trap and kill measurable numbers of mosquitoes," but their effectiveness in any particular case will depend on a number of factors such as the size and species of the mosquito population and the type and location of the breeding habitat. The relative effectiveness of these newer mosquito traps is still being studied.\n\nSimple remedy on mosquito bites:\n\nThe itchiness of mosquito bites is often treated with calamine lotion, which may have a soothing effect, although its effectiveness is not medically proven. Other insect bite relief sticks such as After Bite are commercially available. Oral or topically applied antihistamines, and diphenhydramine in particular,
746211
the buzzing that mosquito's make\ndude that makes me nutts
536744
Challenges are placed in our paths...mosquitoes probably fall in the same category
974908
First not enough blood is injested by the mosquito.\n\nSecondly,a mosquitos bite is actually two fold. \nThe first bite from one orifice injects a chemical/enzyme to stop the blood from clotting. This chemical is said to help neutralize the disease, this is what makes us itch from the bite. \nThen thru a different orifice the mosquito sucks a very, very small amount of blood and this blood is broken down inside the mosquito's body for food. The enymes of the mosquito make it impossible foir the HIV to live inside the mosquito.
778813
very funny.\nreally a dumb mosquito.
478704
When people and animals breathe, they exhale an invisible mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and Octenol (a type of alcohol) along with a trace of moisture. Mosquitoes and other biting insects have ultra-sensitive receptors which can detect the presence of these chemicals, or kairomones, from almost 100 feet away. The attraction is so powerful, they immediately fly toward the source of the chemicals.\n\nMoreover, circulating blood in animal and human targets radiates body heat. Mosquitoes also have sophisticated heat sensors to help them locate blood, their food supply. In effect, mosquitoes become heat-seeking missiles, following both exhaled gases and body heat directly to their target. Within 30 feet, mosquitoes can actually see their victims. When they arrive, they fly around the victim to find landing sites where blood is closest to the surface.
1026327
Mosquitoes! They add to misery, subtract from pleasure, divide your attention and multiply quickly
614234
One of the things that attracts mosquitos to living creatures is the carbon dioxide they exhale.  That's one of the reasons mosquito traps often emit carbon dioxide.  \n\nMosquitos are also attracted to some compounds in sweat, but the main attractant is carbon dioxide.  They locate victims using their sense of smell.  So, mosquitos can locate victims in the dark, outside, inside, etc. since living things all breathe in oxygen and exhale CO2.\n\nMore info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito\n\nHope this is helpful.  :-)