Backyard Bug Patrol: "Do Mosquitoes Really Have Preferences?"

Great Falls, Virginia -

Virginia-based pest control company Backyard Bug Patrol recently published a new blog post that explores whether mosquitoes demonstrate a preference when feeding. Homeowners in Virginia and Maryland will find the article, available on the company’s website, both useful and interesting. Find it here: https://backyardbugpatrol.com/pest-control/do-mosquitoes-really-have-preferences/.

John Mitchell from Backyard Bug Patrol says, “If you have someone at home who has suffered through constant mosquito bites while you managed not to get bitten once, you might have wondered what makes a person a more attractive target for mosquitoes. Though you might be tempted to point your finger at ‘tasty blood’ as the reason, that’s not quite right. There are various reasons why a mosquito might bite one person and not the next, and in our new blog post, we explore a few of these reasons.”

The first reason the blog post discusses is body odor. The human skin produces and releases chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs are particularly influenced by bacteria that live under the skin that may either entice or repel mosquitos. Compounds, such as lactic acid and ammonia, have been proven to be more attractive to mosquitoes, and while researchers are still investigating the causes of the variations in body odor that make certain people more attractive to mosquitoes, findings thus far show that specific causes could include genetics, certain bacteria on the skin, or a combination of these factors.

A diet can also have an effect. Studies have also shown that beer and alcohol consumption can lead to a person becoming more attractive to mosquitoes. Similarly, bananas have also been shown to have some effect on making someone attract mosquito bites. Sweating and body temperature can be affected by what a person eats as some foods raise the body’s metabolism, and sweating can contribute to body odor that attracts mosquitoes.

The blog post also shares that mosquitoes have the ability to sense carbon dioxide from a distance, which is what leads to mosquitoes buzzing about as they fly around a person’s head. Breathing heavily, due to exercise or exertion, can make them more attractive for mosquitoes as well because carbon dioxide happens to be one of the VOCs that mosquitoes are very good at zeroing in on. People who are built heavier tend to breathe heavier, which can in turn make them more likely to be targeted by mosquitoes. The full blog post on Backyard Bug Patrol’s website goes into further details about what makes people more attractive to mosquitoes and how they may defend against mosquitoes.

The high-quality services offered by Backyard Bug Patrol have earned the company great praise from its customers, as is made evident here: https://goo.gl/maps/6zRWtU89Ri82. Shauna Shapiro writes in her 5-Star review, “Backyard Bug Patrol is the third and final mosquito service we have used. The organic spray is non toxic for our dogs, smells great and works like a charm. They are always on time, respond to emails and/or phone calls quickly and always let me know they are coming. We are so glad we finally found them and recommend them to everybody we know.”

In another review, Jessica Bernstein writes, “I’ve been using Backyard Bug Patrol for more than five years now. Their treatments are quite effective at reducing the number of mosquitoes in the yard. Used to be able to step outside without getting bitten up. Now I can comfortably enjoy being outside. Their treatments also help eliminate fleas and ticks, which makes me feel better when my dog is in the yard. They are reliable, and the technicians are courteous.” Backyard Bug Patrol was established in 2010, and the company has strived to provide first-class pest control services to the Great Falls community ever since.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about Backyard Bug Patrol and the various services they provide can find more information on the company’s website. Backyard Bug Patrol encourages interested parties to get in touch with John Mitchell directly via email or phone for any questions or concerns. Social media users can find Backyard Bug Patrol on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BackyardBugPatrol.