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Thread: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

  1. #1
    Maple SERP savafan's Avatar
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    Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    http://www.unknowncountry.com/news/?id=4640

    Why do mosquitoes bite some people much more than others? This is merely annoying to those of us living in the West, but to people living in places like Africa, where malaria is rampant, it can mean the difference between life and death. Now scientists have discovered why mosquitoes like some of us much more than others. All humans produce smells which attract these insects, but people who don't get bitten as often produce another smell which masks these scents. If bugs like you, how can you avoid getting bitten? Hang around someone whom the bugs DON'T like to bite.

    BBC news reports that researchers want to reporduce this masking smell, because it could be tthe world's most effective mosquito repellant. Scientists have discovered that when herds of cattle contain a large numbers of cows that produce these masking smells, fewer mosquitoes bother the entire herd, even if some of the cows that DO NOT produce this substance.
    My dad got to enjoy 3 Reds World Championships by the time he was my age. So far, I've only gotten to enjoy one. Step it up Redlegs!


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  3. #2
    Go Reds Go! UKFlounder's Avatar
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    So basically, you just have to stink too bad for even mosquitoes to approach you?

    That might also work to keep those pesky members of the opposite sex away too.

  4. #3
    Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! MWM's Avatar
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    My wife gets bitten all the time. My kids get gitten sometimes. I never get bitten by mosquitoes. They stay away. Maybe that's why.
    Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

  5. #4
    Member wally post's Avatar
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    MWM - your family would be safe if they were standing next to me!
    I'd wear that scent in a minute if I could get it... that is, unless my wife would leave me too!

  6. #5
    Churlish Johnny Footstool's Avatar
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    I know this is just an unproven coincidence, but ever since I started taking vitamin B complex, I get very few mosquito bites. The ones I do get are in high-sweat areas like the backs of my knees and my socks.
    "I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

  7. #6
    Member 919191's Avatar
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    I used to run an average of about 60 miles a week. I read that endurance running made the body excrete out some enzyme or something, so atheletes had less of it in there system. I don't know, but back then I absolutely never got bit. No that I don.t run but 3 short runs a week, I get the occaisiional bite. But then, even as a kid, they ignored me.

  8. #7
    Churlish Johnny Footstool's Avatar
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/skeeters.asp

    Vitamin B, Skin-So-Soft, Bounce dryer sheets, etc. are all addressed.
    "I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

  9. #8
    For a Level Playing Field
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    Those darn things love me to death. Nice to be loved... but not for my blood! My folks used to coat me in OFF before going out in the summer evening.

  10. #9
    Joe Oliver love-child Blimpie's Avatar
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    Re: Scientists discover why some of us get bit more by mosquitoes than others

    I always heard that mosquitos were attracted to Carbon Dioxide. Last time I checked, weren't all of us still exhaling this?


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