Love Beer? Beware! You Might Be A Mosquito’s Dream Date

All the beer lovers assemble! You all must have read or heard about many benefits of drinking beer, but here’s something more mind-blowing! Drinking beer can make you more attractive - to mosquitoes! Yes, you read that right. Several scientific studies have confirmed the fact that consuming beer can make you more prone to mosquito bites. Keep reading to know more!

Why Beer Consumption Attracts Mosquitoes?

A study published in PLOS ONE states that, according to their survey, the volunteers attracted more mosquitoes when they drank beer as compared to when they drank water. 

It was seen that about 65% of mosquitoes flew towards someone who had consumed beer, as compared to less than half before drinking. This clearly shows that the mosquitoes are more attracted to the smell of beer drinkers. 

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How Do Mosquitoes Find Us?

So, mosquitoes find us by sensing specific signals and smells. They tend to recognise the chemicals in our skin and sweat, and also the carbon dioxide that we exhale. These signals help them to know where to fly to find a meal. Each person gives off a unique combination of chemicals and smells, which is why mosquitoes prefer some individuals over others. 

How Does Beer Affect Your Body?

Drinking beer changes the smell you give off through your mouth and skin. The body temperature does not go up, nor does the carbon dioxide you breathe increase, but the body does start producing chemical signals that actually attract mosquitoes. 

These chemicals might include small amounts of alcohol that are released in byproducts like sweat that are created by the body as it processes alcohol. Mosquitoes look at these signals as invitations that draw them towards that particular human. 

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Tips To Save Yourself From Mosquito Bites

You might wonder why this matters so much. Well, mosquitoes don’t only cause bites that are itchy, they also carry viruses of many diseases with them. These dangerous diseases include dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and Zika virus. So if beer is making you more attractive to these little insects, it also increases your chances of being bitten by them and transmitting dangerous diseases. Hence, it is important to look into this matter. 

• Apply insect repellent to mask your odor.
• Wear full sleeves clothes like a long-sleeved shirt or a t-shirt and full-length pants.
• Make sure you are in a protected space where there are no mosquitoes, especially during dawn and dusk, as these insects are most active during these periods. 
• Preferably, do not drink alcohol in places that are prone to mosquitoes and switch to non-alcoholic drinks. 
• You can also keep a bug spray with you. 

Summing Up

So now that you know that beer can make you a mosquito magnet and how, make sure you protect yourself from its bites and save yourself from dangerous diseases.