Mosquitoes: Which myths are true - and what really helps?
Insect researcher explains
Created: 06/23/2022, 04:51
By: Theresa Kuchler
They love sweet blood and shy away from drunk people: numerous myths surround mosquitoes.
What is really true - and how do we keep the pests at bay?
Munich – The time of mild summer nights is back – and with it that of mosquitoes.
The wood and meadow mosquitoes in particular are in high season right now.
They like to sneak into the barbecue or into the bedroom as uninvited guests.
And that's where they get on our nerves.
There seems to be a lot of knowledge among laypeople about mosquitoes: they are attracted to light, they refrain from drunk people and they prefer sweet blood.
Is this really true?
The biologist Ulla Gordon from Regensburg has been researching the insects for a long time and knows what the rumors are about.
At
Sat1 Bayern
she clears up the mosquito myths.
What helps against mosquitoes - and which myths are there?
Insect researcher explains
Myth 1 - Mosquitoes feed on blood:
It is a common belief that mosquitoes bite to feed on human blood.
But that is not entirely correct.
"Mosquitoes don't feed on blood," explains Gordon.
"The females draw the nutrients from the blood to be able to lay their eggs."
Myth 2 - Mosquitoes love sweet blood:
Do mosquitoes prefer to bite people with sweet blood?
"That's not true either," Gordon clarifies.
Human behavior cannot be transferred to insects.
Just because people like to eat sweets doesn't mean that other creatures are.
"Whether the blood is sugary or not doesn't matter to mosquitoes."
Myth 3 – Light attracts mosquitoes:
The entomologist clears up this myth as well.
“People tend to be uninterested in light,” says Gordon.
Attracting the animals with UV lamps and thus keeping them away from themselves makes little sense.
According to Gordon, the light would be more likely to attract other insects, such as moths or butterflies.
Myth 4 - Mosquitoes don't like drunk people:
"Of course that would be great," says Ulla Gordon and laughs.
The rumor that mosquitoes don't bite drunk people isn't true either.
On the contrary: "Anyone who has drunk alcohol is even more likely to get bitten."
Mosquitoes are currently very active again in Germany.
(Iconic image) © Patrick Pleul/dpa
From a scientific point of view, there is no truth to many myths about mosquitoes.
Nevertheless, there are ways and means to keep the pests at bay.
Sat1 Bayern
has tested what really helps against mosquitoes.
From chemical sprays to ultrasonic wristbands, some anti-mosquito products have been put to the test.
Means against mosquitoes in the test: This helps against the annoying insects - home remedies are also effective
It turned out that a classic mosquito repellent works well against the insects.
The active ingredient Icaridin keeps them away.
The home remedy lavender oil achieves a similar effect - even if the effect wears off faster here than with a chemical spray.
An ultrasonic wristband is high-tech but not very helpful.
The gadget promises to deter mosquitoes with high-frequency sounds.
In fact, the insects don't seem to mind much: in the practical test, dozens of mosquitoes cavort on the test person's arm, despite the bracelet.
Read here which remedies are best for mosquito bites.
(kuc)