From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Mon Jun 24 2002 - 08:29:36 MDT
>From: Mike Lorrey <mlorrey@datamann.com>
>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.
I take plenty of B complex, it seems to actually attract them. I
was also wearing a good DEET repellent (Cutters, deep woods) it
seemed to have little effect.
The boys up on the roof had a constant group of about 50
dragonflies picking them off for them, by the end of the 10 days we
joked about getting dragonfly tatoos...
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
SBC/Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
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