2024-02-23 10:38:06
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance; Their bites can be annoying and, in some cases, they can transmit diseases such as dengue. Interestingly, these insects are attracted to certain odors, especially those that come from the perfumes and soaps we use.
To help you enjoy your outdoor activities without becoming a mosquito magnet, it’s crucial to know what types of perfumes and soaps to avoid.
Read also: How to make the best homemade mosquito repellent, according to artificial intelligence
Perfumes: what to avoid and what to prefer
- Avoid floral and sweet fragrances: Mosquitoes are attracted to sweet and floral scents. Perfumes with notes of rose, lily, jasmine or vanilla can make you more attractive to these insects.
- Opt for citrus and refreshing aromas: citrus smells such as lemon, orange or bergamot tend to repel mosquitoes. Likewise, perfumes with a fresh or aquatic scent are less attractive to them.
- Perfumes with essential oils: Some essential oils such as lemongrass, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender not only smell good, but are also known for their mosquito-repellent properties.
(Foto: Adobe Stock).
Soaps: the importance of proper selection
- Avoid scented soaps with sweet smells: As with perfumes, soaps with sweet or floral fragrances can attract mosquitoes. It is best to avoid them, especially during the summer months or in mosquito-prone areas.
- Neutral or unscented soaps: Unscented or neutral-smelling soaps are a safe option. These products are less likely to attract mosquitoes since they don’t add additional odors to your skin.
- Soaps with natural repellent ingredients: Look for soaps that contain natural ingredients known to repel mosquitoes, such as citronella, eucalyptus, or peppermint.
The smell of soap can attract mosquitoes. (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Scientific study reveals how soap can attract mosquitoes
According to some researchers who work on the chemical ecology of insects, if someone soaps themselves with aromas derived from vegetables that attract mosquitoes, it is possible to confuse these flying insects.
The effects of soap use vary between individuals as a result of the interaction of different products and each person’s unique odor profiles, explained Clément Vinauger, professor of Biochemistry at Virginia Tech and co-author of the study published in the digital journal iScience.
Other studies have concluded that in small spaces mosquitoes take more variables into account, such as the smell of perfumes, colors, water or skin temperature.
Read also: Wearing red is a magnet for mosquitoes
This is how the study on soaps and mosquitoes was done
To explore the relationship between soap application and attractiveness to mosquitoes, the researchers first characterized the chemical odors emitted by four human volunteers, both unwashed and following washing with each of four different soap brands. They also characterized the odor profiles of the soaps themselves.
The team found that each of the volunteers emitted their own unique odor profile, some of which were more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Washing with soap significantly changed these odor profiles.
“Everyone smells different, even following soap application; Your physiological state, the way you live, what you eat and the places you go affect body odor,” says co-author and biologist Chloé Lahondère. And she adds: “Soaps dramatically change the way we smell, not only by adding chemicals, but also by causing variations in the emission of compounds we already produce naturally.”
All of the soaps contained a chemical called limonene, which is a known mosquito repellent, but even though that was the main chemical in all four soaps, three of the four soaps they tested increased the attraction of mosquitoes.
“We know that the ratios of chemicals are extremely important in determining whether mosquitoes are attracted or repelled. Changing the ratio of the exact same chemicals can cause attraction, indifference or repulsion,” adds Lahondère.
The team aims to expand on these results and find some patterns or general rules by testing more varieties of soap and many more people. They also plan to study how soap influences mosquito preferences over a longer period. “For example, if you shower in the morning, is it still important for mosquitoes at night?” Vinauger asks.
Additional Tips for Preventing Mosquito Bites
- Wear appropriate clothing: Light-colored clothing that covers most of the body can help avoid bites.
- Avoid excessive use of scented products: Even scents that do not attract mosquitoes can become problematic if applied in excess.
- Maintain good personal hygiene: perspiration and body odors can attract mosquitoes. Maintaining good hygiene can help reduce this risk.
- Consider mosquito repellents: In areas where mosquitoes are a serious problem, it may be necessary to use specific repellents in addition to carefully choosing your personal hygiene products.
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