Mosquitoes have specific requirements to satisfy, and process many different factors before they feed. Many of the mosquito's physiological demands are poorly understood and many of the processes they use to evaluate potential blood meal hosts remain a mystery. Female mosquitoes use the CO Z we exhale as their primary cue to our location. A hostseeking mosquito is guided to our skin by following the slip stream of C02 that exudes from our breath. Once they have landed, they rely on a number of short-range attractants to determine if we are an acceptable blood meal host.
Folic acid is one chemical that appears to be particularly important.
Fragrances from hair sprays, perfumes, deodorants, and soap can cover these chemical cues. They can also function to either enhance or repel the hostseeking drive. Dark colors capture heat and make most Next Page Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If Plants Could Talk'' 2000 William T. Hlubik , Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.