As the climate warms, summer mosquito seasons are lasting longer in many areas.
Mosquitoes carry itchy bites and the risk of diseases like West Nile virus, so it's important to know how to keep them away from you.
But Jean Ponzi of the Missouri Botanical Garden says many people misunderstand what attracts mosquitoes.
Ponds: “People say, 'Well, I think it's my blood type. Well, I think it's because I'm a very lovable person.
In fact, mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale, chemicals produced on people's skin, and certain scents and colors.
So she recommends that in addition to using mosquito repellent, people should limit perfume and fabric odors and wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Pounds: “When you wear loose clothing, it's harder for a female mosquito to push its proboscis through the fabric to reach your skin and suck blood.”
Ponzi also said that while yard spraying can kill adults Mosquitoes, it does not prevent eggs from hatching and can harm other insects.
Instead, she recommends people dump stagnant water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs, or dispose of it with a mosquito bucket — which contains particles that can kill mosquito larvae.
These precautions can help people stay safe even as the climate warms.
Report source: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media
We help millions of people understand climate change and what to do about it. Help us reach more people like you.
