Why Do Some Maltese Residents Attract More Mosquitoes Than Others?

It’s a summer evening in Msida, and you’re enjoying a sunset stroll along the promenade. Suddenly, you notice a friend nearby, swatting away mosquitoes like a pro boxer. Meanwhile, you barely have a single bite. Why the difference? You’re not alone in wondering why some people seem to be mosquito magnets.

Malta’s Mosquito scene

Malta’s Mediterranean climate creates the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, with warm, humid conditions from spring to autumn. While we’re no stranger to these pesky critters, some of us seem to attract them more than others. But why?

Blood Type and Body Odour

Scientific studies have shown that mosquitoes are attracted to certain blood types. Type O is particularly appealing to them, while Type A is less so. But it’s not just about blood type. Mosquitoes are also drawn to specific body odours, which can vary from person to person. Factors like sweat, body heat, and even the bacteria living on our skin can make us more or less attractive to mosquitoes.

Dr. Joseph Borg, a local entomologist, explains, “Mosquitoes have a highly developed sense of smell. They’re attracted to a variety of chemicals in our sweat, like lactic acid and ammonia. Some people simply produce more of these chemicals, making them more attractive to mosquitoes.”

Carbon Dioxide and Lactic Acid

Mosquitoes are also drawn to carbon dioxide, which we exhale. The more active you are, the more carbon dioxide you produce, and the more mosquitoes you’ll attract. Lactic acid, produced by muscles during exercise, is another mosquito attractant. So, that friend of yours who’s been working up a sweat at the Msida Marina might be sending out a ‘come hither’ signal to mosquitoes.

But it’s not all about what we’re putting out. Mosquitoes are also attracted to certain colours. While they’re not colourblind, they’re more drawn to dark colours like black and dark blue. So, if you’re wearing a bright colour, you might be less visible to mosquitoes.

Genes and Mosquito Attractiveness

Genetics also play a role in mosquito attractiveness. Some people are naturally more attractive to mosquitoes due to the genes they’ve inherited. In fact, studies have shown that up to 85% of our attractiveness to mosquitoes is determined by our genes.

Dr. Borg adds, “Some people might also be more attractive to mosquitoes due to the chemicals produced by the bacteria living on their skin. These bacteria can vary from person to person, and some might produce chemicals that mosquitoes find particularly appealing.”

Practical Tips for Mosquito Magnetism

If you find yourself constantly covered in mosquito bites, there are a few things you can do to reduce your attractiveness:

• Wear light-coloured clothing.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
• Keep your skin clean and dry, as sweat and bacteria can make you more attractive to mosquitoes.
• Avoid exercising outdoors during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk).
• Install mosquito nets and screens in your home.

Remember, while some people might be more attractive to mosquitoes due to factors beyond their control, there are still steps we can all take to reduce our attractiveness and protect ourselves from mosquito-borne diseases.

So, the next time you’re out enjoying a Maltese summer evening, and you notice someone swatting away mosquitoes like a pro, remember, it might not be because they’re doing something wrong. It could just be their unique chemistry that makes them a mosquito magnet.