COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hurricane Helene left standing water, and with that came a resurgence of mosquitos. But why do the pesky insects seem to hone in on certain people while seemingly leaving others alone?
THE QUESTION:
A viewer wrote to our Verify to ask, "Is it possible for someone to be immune from getting a mosquito bite?" Let's Verify.
THE SOURCES:
Our sources are Dr. Eric Benson, an Extension Entomologist and Professor at Clemson University and the National Institute of Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
THE ANSWER:
False. No one is immune from being bitten by a mosquito.
WHAT WE FOUND:
"Mosquitos' key to survival is feeding on warm-blooded animals," Dr. Benson said. "And they are the best hunters around, as they've been associated with mankind ever since the beginning of time."
He goes on to explain that research shows that mosquitos pick up on several things as they are picking their prey, including size, and then, as they get closer, body odor and body heat.
The National Institute of Health researchers discovered a receptor that mosquitoes use to detect both carbon dioxide and skin odor. So, the more you breathe and exhale, like working out or talking, the more carbon dioxide you are emitting.
Dr. Bension said, "I would think everyone at some point in time has been or will be bitten by a mosquito. If you are actively breathing, they are attracted to you. "
So, we can Verify that it is highly unlikely that a person could avoid being bitten by mosquitos.
The CDC recommends wearing long sleeves and pants and using a bug spray containing DEET to reduce bites.
