How To Protect Yourself From The Bay Area Mosquitoes

Are you aware that mosquitoes have a preference for who they want to bite? It's true. In recent studies, it has been determined that mosquitoes prefer people who have type O blood. In fact, they bite people with type O blood twice as often. How many people have this type of blood? Quite a few actually.

While only 7 percent of the population is type O negative, which is considered to be the universal blood type, a whopping 38 percent are type O positive. That means almost half our population is twice as interesting to mosquitoes. But this isn't the only way you can be more attractive to mosquitoes or be targeted more easily by them. Let's take a look at a few more factors.

Carbon Dioxide

It is estimated that mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide from more than 100 feet away. This is usually the first way they detect you when you're standing in your yard. If you're exhaling more than the person next to you, you're likely to be targeted first.

Moisture

Mosquitoes are moisture pests. They are birthed in moisture and must live near moist areas to survive. So, it only makes sense that they are attracted to moisture. If you are sweating, mosquitoes will be drawn to you. When you exhale, this too can increase moisture and attract mosquitoes.

Heat

Mosquitoes have the ability to sense the temperature of your skin. Since they are drawn to the warm blood under the skin, it only makes sense that they are attracted to skin that is warmer. Studies continue on this topic, but it is generally believed that warm skin is an attractant.

Pregnancy

Researchers have determined that there are at least two attributes that make pregnant women more prone to be targeted by mosquitoes.

• During pregnancy, women exhale 21% more often.
• The belly of a pregnant woman is 44°F warmer.

Since mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, moisture, and heat, these factors will cause you to have more trouble with mosquitoes if you are pregnant. But there is more bad news. Mosquitoes are able to spread Zika virus, which can cause microcephaly. While definitely rare, especially in the United States, it is important to be aware of this threat.

Beer

If you like to partake in alcoholic beverages, you should be aware that doing so will make you more attractive to mosquitoes. During outdoor events and parties, it pays to be the designated driver.

Mosquito Prevention

There is no way to entirely prevent mosquito bites, but here are some helpful tips to mitigate the threat:

• Wear long sleeves and pants to reduce exposed skin.
• Wear bright colors to make it more difficult for mosquitoes to lock onto you.
• Use netting to keep mosquitoes out of recreational areas.
• Make sure the screens on your home are in good working condition.
• Avoid going outside in the morning or evening when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use mosquito repellent to keep mosquitoes off your skin and clothing.
• If you are averse to applying synthetic mosquito repellents to your skin, consider using a product with oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Mosquito repellent plants or essential oils can provide a natural solution, but the oils need to be applied frequently to stay effective.
• If you'll be in one spot, put a fan on you. Mosquitoes are not capable fliers.

Remove standing water from your yard. Mosquitoes reproduce in standing water, and a female mosquito can deposit a hundred eggs at a time. 

Mosquito Reduction

If you don't have mosquitoes in your yard, you're not going to get bitten. Makes sense, right? While this might sound absurd, it is actually possible to reduce mosquitoes dramatically and make mosquito bites rare in your yard. This is because mosquitoes don't travel great distances to bite you. In fact, a mosquito isn't likely to travel more than a few hundred feet from where it hatched.

When your yard has seasonal mosquito control, the mosquitoes in your yard are eliminated. That means the only mosquitoes that will bite you in your backyard are your neighbor's mosquitoes. But there is more good news. If your neighbor's mosquitoes come into your yard and rest in your landscaping, or in other key areas, they won't live long enough to regret it. They may also not live long enough to bite you.

Do You Live In The Bay Area?

Bay Pest offers effective mosquito reduction for Bay Area residents. See what a difference this service can make. Reach out to us today to request service or to request a free estimate. You don't have to let mosquitoes drive you crazy in your backyard. Take your backyard back.