9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes

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Aug 14th 2014 2:42AM

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9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes

 

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Summer is in full swing, and that means that those pesky mosquitoes are on the hunt. Sometimes it seems as if mosquitoes feast even more than we do during summer gatherings after dark, since they are drawn to the smells of a typical barbecue. Sure, we have the grilled burgers, peach cobbler, and tasty frozen margaritas to enjoy, but they have an all-you-can-eat buffet: us.

These irritating creatures come to get us when we least expect it, like when the sun is setting and the party is winding down or turning up. Their bites initially are imperceptible, especially while we are indulging in a cocktail or sweet fruit salad. But all of a sudden, you know you've been bitten — a red welt rises on your ankle and it's all you can do to resist a scratching frenzy. Not only can they be party pests, mosquitoes can also be carriers of diseases like malaria, dengue fever and West Nile virus.

There are a variety of reasons that certain people are far more attractive to mosquitoes than others. These biting insects have an acute sense of smell, but they also rely on carbon dioxide signatures — that means they tend to flock to larger people or pregnant women. Genetics is also important. Studies have shown that mosquitoes prefer those with type O blood. Body heat, movement or exercise, and sweat also draw them to certain bodies. Dark colors and fragrances can also bring mosquitoes your way.

Diet is a factor as well. Some of the foods we eat, like the avocados atop your summer salad and pickle relish on your brat, make us much tastier to mosquitoes, while others like strong onions and garlic repel them. The critters can smell salty snacks, sumptuous sweets, and other goodies on our skin, making us much more delicious to them.

WHAT THINGS ATTRACT MOSQUITOES?

Avoid these things:

 

1. Dark Colors

Wearing dark clothes will attract mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can see and use their vision to locate targets from a distance. Most of their day-to-day targets will be found in the shade or within foliage, so they are naturally attracted to dark colors. This means that they will be more attracted to people wearing dark clothing than people wearing light clothing. Ask me how I know this!

Tip: I’m not kidding, this is what I use, it’s better, safer than DEET in my opinion! Reviewed by Consumer Reports in its list of safe insect repellents, effective up 14 hours!
20% Picaridin Lotion

No smell! Not as ‘greasy’ as DEET spray:
20% Picaridin Spray

 

2. Fragrances

Fragrances are known to attract mosquitoes. Avoid perfume, cologne, perfumed shampoos, hand creams, soaps, fabric softeners, detergent, etc. Switch to as many unscented products as you can during the summer to avoid the mosquito bite.

 

3. Movement

Moving around will attract mosquitoes. They can see their victims from within 30 feet by locating the changes in waves of light around them, caused by moving objects.

Tip: Extremely effective for on clothing, will not stain or damage clothes, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or outdoor gear, lasts up to 6 weeks (or 6 washings) :
Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Spray

Another tip! I spray Permethrin on my hat – really helps keep mosquitoes from biting my head area. I also spray my clothes if working outdoors while mosquitoes are biting.

 

4. Sweat

Perspiring will attract mosquitoes because they need water to reproduce, and they are naturally attracted to areas with higher humidity levels. This includes people who are sweating. Perspiration will also dilute any mosquito repellents that you might have applied; making you more attractive to mosquitoes.

 

5. Carbon Dioxide

Your breathing! This is a big attractant – maybe the biggest. Your exhaled breath will attract mosquitoes big time. Mosquitoes are attracted by areas that are higher in carbon dioxide (living-breathing animals, humans). I’ve read that a mosquito can ‘see’ carbon dioxide from 200 yards away!

Tip: Natural insect repellent, effective up to 6 hours:
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent

 

6. Body Heat

Mosquitoes have sophisticated heat sensors. They will be attracted to circulating blood in animals and humans – their heat. They follow body heat and exhaled gases and fly to their target!

 

7. Lactic Acid

It’s produced by our bodies after we exercise or after we eat certain types of food that are high in salt or potassium. Someone who is sitting outside eating pretzels and a banana will attract more mosquitoes than someone who is sitting outside eating watermelon.

Exercising causes your body to do three things that will make it attract mosquitoes. You are breathing harder, meaning you are exhaling more carbon dioxide; you are sweating, which increases the humidity around your body; and you are releasing more lactic acid. You might as well be wearing a neon sign asking all mosquitoes to bite you.

 

8. Urine

Yep, urine attracts mosquitoes. Take care of this business further away from your camp…

 

Another recommendation I can offer (this one is included in my upcoming book) is to crush and add to your skin lotion any of the following fresh herbs.  I personally have found a great deal of success crushing small amounts of the fresh herb pennyroyal and adding it to my R Pur Aloe Hand and Body Lotion before applying it to my body.  (See http://worldtalk.bizland.com/aloe2/id3.html )

Enjoy these 11 Plants & Herbs That Naturally Repel Mosquitoes

1. Citronella

Chances are, you’ve heard of this one before- it’s one of the most common ingredients in most mosquito repellents. Strange enough though, many people don’t even know that citronella is actually a plant! Citronella is a beautiful perennial clumping grass that emits a strong aroma. That aroma masks other scents, and keeps mosquitoes from being attracted to things located around it.

The citronella plant has a much stronger aroma than other mosquito repellents that contain citronella, so it is a great choice. Citronella is very easy to grow, and can get to be a very tall 5 or 6 feet high! You can grow citronella in pots and place it around a porch or patio, or you can plant it directly in a yard or garden bed. It’s a great choice for repelling mosquitoes naturally.

2. Lemon Balm

A member of the mint family, the plant also known as horsemint and beebalm is a very easy plant for beginning gardeners to grow- even if you don’t have a green thumb! Lemon Balm is a very hardy plant, it resists drought, and it grows well even in shade.

It is a very fast growing and sometimes aggressive plant, so you might want to contain it to a pot, where you can move it to wherever you like to ensure that it doesn’t take over your garden. An added bonus? You can dry the leaves and use them to make a delicious herbal tea!

3. Catnip

Your feline friends will be happy to know that catnip is a great mosquito deterrent!

In fact, in a 2010 study, researchers found that catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET, the ingredient commonly found in bug repellents.

It is a very easy plant to grow, and if you have cats in the house, they will surely be happy to have it around. Keep plants full by pinching the growing stems and flower buds when they appear.

4. Marigolds

A bright, hardy annual plant, marigolds are a great choice for repelling mosquitoes. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, an ingredient found in many insect repellents, and they have a unique aroma which bugs find repulsive.

The flowers themselves are beautiful and can make a great border or addition to any flower bed. Try placing them around borders of your home, and mosquitoes might not want to cross over!

Top Tip: Companion plant marigolds with tomatoes. The insects hate them so much they’ll stay away from your beloved tomatoes.

5. Basil

Calling all cooks! Want a double whammy when it comes to mosquito protection? Plant some basil. Not only will you have a quick and easy mosquito repellent, you will also have a delicious fresh herb on hand to add to all of your favorite recipes. (try my Perfect Pesto Recipe!)

There are many different varieties of basil around, so feel free to experiment and find the ones that you like best.

Many expert gardeners recommend trying lemon basil or cinnamon basil to deter insects. Plus basil is one of the easiest herbs to keep alive – even the biggest novice can manage it.

6. Lavender

You probably know that lavender is a gorgeous purple flowering plant with a soothing, calming scent. But, did you know that it is also a natural mosquito repellent?

Grow it indoors near a sunny window, or outside in your garden or flower bed to keep the bugs away.

While you’re at it, make a delicious herbal tea, or use lavender to fill your home with a wonderful calming aroma. There are so many reasons to grow lavender.

7. Peppermint

Most bugs despise the smell and taste of peppermint, so planting it around your home is a great way to keep them from dropping by uninvited.

Plus, if you do happen to get bitten, peppermint leaves rubbed directly onto the skin make a great bite relief treatment.

An added bonus is the wonderful minty smell that makes a delicious addition to food and beverages.

8. Garlic

Unfortunately for all of us who love Italian food, studies have shown that eating garlic does not repel mosquitoes. (Unless, however, you were to eat a huge amount!) However, having garlic around does!

Make sure to add some garlic to your flower bed or vegetable garden for added protection from mosquitoes.

Not only will you keep mosquitoes away, you’ll also have a whole load of garlic to flavor your food and for its incredible health benefits.

9. Pennyroyal

The adorable pennyroyal flower is a natural deterrent for mosquitoes. Make sure to plant some around your flowerbeds.

Pennyroyal plants also make great groundcovers, and they attract a plethora of beautiful butterflies.

Some people even use pennyroyal to flavor certain fish dishes. As you can see, this plant has plenty of benefits.

10. Rosemary

Rosemary is a beautiful flowering plant that is often used to flavor lamb or fish dishes, but did you know that it is also a natural mosquito repellent?

It’s perfect to add to your herb garden or flowerbed to keep bugs away, and it even attracts butterflies!

Plus you can simply snip a few springs off every time you need to add extra flavor to your lamb or steak.

11. Geraniums

This beautiful flowering plant is a great choice for mosquito repellent.

When planted in a hanging container, the colorful blooms will cascade over the side of the pot, providing a beautiful visual piece as well as a very useful bug repellent.

Note that geraniums don’t want too much water, otherwise their leaves will yellow and the plant can rot. Geraniums tolerate periods of dry soil much better than long periods of wet soil, so let the soil get fairly dry before providing additional moisture. Also, water the soil directly without wetting the leaves. Your geranium will thank you!

Bonus Tip #1:

Breaking the leaves of these plants and rubbing their oils directly onto your skin can amplify their positive effects on beating mosquitoes. Plus, think how good you will smell! (well, except for the garlic…)

Bonus Tip #2:

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your yard, get rid of all standing water. Anything that can hold even the smallest amount of rain or sprinkler water must be removed or turned over.

For skin care - AFTER AN ATTACK, I highly recommend both the R Pur Aloe Body Lotion as well as the R Pur Aloe Super Gelly.

Available by calling Loyal Briskey (yes, that is his real name) at (419) 335-5225.  He is a wealth of wisdom when it comes to aloe vera products and their benefits.

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