Don't let it ruin your holiday
Why some people are mosquito magnets could be down to which soap they use in the shower, according to new research.
A series of experiments found soap-washing impacted mosquitoes' preferences - depending on types. Chemicals emitted by four human volunteers were analysed both before and an hour after they'd scrubbed with Dial, Dove, Native and Simple Truth. Odour profiles of the soaps themselves were also characterised.
Humans can’t smell CO2, which we and other animals exhale with each breath. Mosquitoes can. It boosts females' activity - making them explore surrounding space in search of a host. Dr Vinauger said: "What really matters to the mosquito is not the most abundant chemical, but rather the specific associations and combinations of chemicals, not only from the soap, but also from our personal body odours.
"Changing the ratio of the same exact chemicals can result in attraction, indifference, or repulsion." The study in iScience identified four chemicals associated with mosquito attraction and three with repulsion - including a coconut-scent in American Bourbon and a floral compound used to treat scabies and lice.
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