Not a Coincidence, IPB University Entomologist Explains the Types of People Mosquitoes Target
Ever wondered why mosquitoes seem to target certain people? In a room, some get bitten relentlessly while others escape unscathed. There’s a scientific reason behind this phenomenon.
Mosquitoes are known as pesky insects that not only cause itching, but can also transmit dangerous diseases such as dengue infection/dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), malaria, and other illnesses.
According to an entomologist from IPB University, Dr Supriyono, mosquitoes have particular preferences when choosing their “victims”. He said that people who sweat easily are more vulnerable to mosquito bites.
“Mosquitoes are attracted to substances released through sweat such as ammonia and lactic acid. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO₂) from breathing and warm body temperature are also attractive factors,” he said during his busy schedule as a lecturer at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (SKHB) IPB University.
According to him, sweat is the result of the body’s thermoregulation process. The metabolic waste substances in sweat function as attractants for mosquitoes. Therefore, he suggested that people who sweat easily maintain body hygiene and use appropriate mosquito repellent products.
Responding to the myth that eating bitter vegetables such as melon and papaya leaves can make the blood taste bitter and thus prevent mosquito bites, Dr Supriyono emphasized that this assumption is false. The same goes for the belief that sweet foods make blood more appealing to mosquitoes.
“There is no scientific evidence to date that mosquitoes choose humans based on the taste of their blood. What attracts mosquitoes are body odor, sweat, CO₂, body temperature, and the color of clothing, especially dark ones,” he explained.
He emphasized the importance of understanding the scientific factors behind mosquito bites to prevent people from being trapped in misleading myths. By understanding these things, we can protect ourselves and our families from the threat of mosquito bites while avoiding the transmission of diseases that come with them. (dh) (IAAS/ANF)
