this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2024
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Any new research this year?

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[โ€“] massive_bereavement@fedia.io 25 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Mosquitoes find their prey using three senses:
First by CO2, as mammals will be releasing it in big quantities (though they also bite reptiles). Second, by body smell, which as others here have mentioned, diet and genetics may dictate how it is affected. Third by shape (that's when they are already there) and are trying to figure out where to stick it.

The first one is hard to fix, so for the second I'll recommend icaridin or, if not available DEET, and in gel form not spray. DEET can be a skin irritant, hence why is less preferred.

Spray though is sometimes used when applying it to clothing, as it also may have your smell attached to it.

For the third one, I haven't seen conclusive data but a lot of observational studies: from wearing light-colored ample clothing that doesn't define the limbs to (I guess) wearing stripes like a zebra.

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7945690/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4173961/ https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-mosquitoes-detect-people https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-22333-7 https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/the-chemistry-of-mosquito-attraction

And a lifetime in humid climates like the Bayou.

[โ€“] xilliah@beehaw.org 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Do you have any experience using some kind of zapper or lamp or some other tool?

[โ€“] Deconceptualist@lemm.ee 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Some insects are attracted to light sources, but not mosquitos. They seek out the things our bayou friend already mentioned.

[โ€“] xilliah@beehaw.org 3 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Isn't there something that emits co2 and then zaps them?

I guess I should just get a net and a hand held zapper?

[โ€“] MoonMelon@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yes, there are propane powered mosquito traps that emit heat and CO2. Supposedly they are effective but costly.

[โ€“] ITGuyLevi@programming.dev 3 points 3 months ago

They also have electric ones. They use a UV bulb and some titanium compound that releases CO2 when hit by UV, pretty neat and work decently once you interrupt the breeding cycle. Dynatrap is the popular brand I think.

[โ€“] massive_bereavement@fedia.io 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Maybe you're onto something ;)

[โ€“] xilliah@beehaw.org 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)
[โ€“] massive_bereavement@fedia.io 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Laser-carrying mosquitoes or mosquito-killing lasers?

[โ€“] xilliah@beehaw.org 2 points 3 months ago

Hey fellow smoothbrain. We take the mosquito's qi and channel it to get the most powerful laser.