From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Fri Jun 21 2002 - 18:36:59 MDT
John Grigg wrote:
>
> Brian D Williams wrote:
> >My buddies are accusing me of "hogging" the >mosquitos...
>
> I have the very same problem in life!! While working for a nonprofit organization based at my local college which helps teens, I was viewed as great entertainment by everyone as the mosquitos concentrated on me instead of going after the other dozen pe
ople in the group! This has always been the case in my life.
Mosquitos are attracted to several things: uric acid, which is present
in sweat, and CO2. Uric acid levels in sweat are varied by the level of
various B vitamins in the bloodstream. They are also attracted to
ultraviolet and infrared light, which bluejeans and dyed white cloth
emit UV at far higher levels than natural undyed fibers. If you use
'brighteners' or 'whiteners' in your laundry detergent, these are dyes
that emit lots of UV as well. The IR is normal body heat, which can be
blocked by clothing, and DEET acts to alter your IR signature as well.
I personally prefer citronella based repellents to DEET laden stuff. It
works quite well, doesn't smell bad either. Taking plenty of B complex
while camping helps too.
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