What Smells Good to Mosquitoes

A stinging study

(HealthDayNews) -- Have you ever suspected that there's something about you that's especially attractive to mosquitoes? Perhaps there is.

According to the Journal of Vector Ecology, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) did a study to find out what odors attracted mosquitoes. It wasn't a very large study, but it was enough to make a point:

  • Percentage of mosquitoes attracted to the smell of a human hand: 80
  • Percentage of mosquitoes attracted to the smell of a human foot (they used a sock that had been worn for three days): 66
  • Percentage of mosquitoes attracted to the smell of Limburger cheese: 6
  • Percentage of mosquitoes attracted to the smell of an air conditioned room: 1

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
www.healthday.com