Ideal conditions for the mosquito, yet no 'invasion', what's the deal?

The predicted mosquito invasion did not materialize. Despite record warmth and extreme wetness - ideal conditions for mosquitoes - we are experiencing a normal mosquito summer. However, they remain just as annoying, so how do you keep them at bay? "There are stories that suggest they are attracted to you if you drink beer. Complete nonsense!"

The first half of 2024 was warm and wet - ideal conditions for mosquitoes and their eggs, according to medical entomologist, vector biologist, and author of the book "Mug," Bart Knols. "There was talk of a mosquito Armageddon, but it has turned out to be a completely normal mosquito year," he said.

In spring, according to Knols, it is still difficult to predict because the weather conditions in the following months determine the actual mosquito population in the summer. "For example, if a very dry period follows, you won't get a large population. A mild winter does not automatically mean a dramatic mosquito invasion in the summer."

Do mosquitoes be attracted to light?

That seems to be the case this year as well. Regardless, there are enough mosquitoes making our lives miserable. What can you do about it? There are few animals as misunderstood as mosquitoes. To start, one of the thousand misconceptions about these insects is that mosquitoes are attracted to sweet blood. Wrong. Sweet blood does not exist. Another misconception is that mosquitoes are attracted to light. This is a persistent fallacy because if you sit around a campsite lamp in the dusk, suddenly you are surrounded by mosquitoes. So, yes, they might be attracted to the light. But you are sitting next to that lamp. What mosquitoes are truly attracted to is a human with about five liters of blood in their body.

Interestingly, one person may be more of a target for mosquitoes than another. In other words, one person may be more prone to mosquito bites than another. So, if someone feels that mosquitoes always target them and not their partner, that might be accurate.

Why do mosquitoes target some individuals more than others?

This phenomenon does exist, as per Knols. However, one person may react more strongly to a mosquito bite than another. Therefore, if one person wakes up covered in bites, while their partner is barely bothered, it might still be the case that the latter person was bitten frequently. There might be a problem with perception. Nevertheless, research has shown that certain people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. The difference lies in our unique scent profile. "It consists of substances emitted through the skin. There are more than three hundred of these substances, many of which are common to everyone, although the proportions vary," according to Knols.

These substances interact with bacteria on the skin. The acidity of the skin and genetic background also play a role, resulting in everyone having their own 'scent print'. Among these approximately three hundred substances, there are those that are attractive to mosquitoes and those that repel them. The ratio between these two determines if you are appealing to a mosquito or not.

Some mosquito species can easily bite through denim A study conducted in Kenya, where participants were evaluated periodically for their attractiveness to mosquitoes, revealed that this attractiveness remains constant. However, this is only applicable when conducting research on a specific mosquito species. It could vary significantly with a distant relative from another country. "So, if I am highly attractive to a mosquito species in France, a mosquito species in Australia might not find me appealing at all."

Tiger mosquitoes

Mosquitoes were in the news last week due to the call from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority for all travelers to Southern European countries to check their cars for mosquitoes upon their return. There is concern that the mosquito, capable of transmitting diseases, might hitch a ride to the Netherlands and never leave. Knols has been warning about the definitive arrival of the tiger mosquito for years, but he has little confidence that this call will be effective. "If you've been bitten to pieces during a two-week camping trip in France, a couple of mosquitoes in the caravan won't make much of a difference. We won't go after them." Nevertheless, he stresses the importance of taking the tiger mosquito seriously.

Some quick facts mosquitoes can bite through sheets and long-sleeved shirts. Mosquitoes bite, they do not sting - another misconception. "Some species can easily bite through denim." Making a cross in the mosquito bite does help alleviate itching, albeit temporarily. "The swelling is caused by your immune system reacting to foreign substances injected by the mosquito. This leads to itching, but making a cross with your fingernail generates a pain sensation, overpowering the itch. And that helps - briefly."

Almost nothing works

Which brings us to the most important question related to mosquitoes: how can you keep them away? Knols has bad news: almost nothing works. "Many products on the Dutch market are inadequately tested and lack proven effectiveness. Some products are outright rip-offs."

He deems a citronella bracelet complete nonsense. A mosquito perched on your ankle will not be scared off by such a bracelet, says Knols. "This is unethical. Some people traveling to remote tropical destinations decide to skip the malaria pills and just carry that wristband with them." This comes with the risks of a potential infection.

Deet spray is effective, but it is better not to use products with higher concentrations too frequently or on children. For them, Knols recommends Care Plus Natural spray. And garlic? Can garlic fend off mosquitoes? "A myth. Garlic might keep people at bay, not mosquitoes."