Mosquitoes: A Public Health Threat and Control Methods

Mosquitoes are widely distributed around the world and are blood-sucking insects that live near water bodies. They typically breed in warm and humid environments. Female mosquitoes require blood to obtain the proteins needed for reproduction, while male mosquitoes primarily feed on nectar.

Mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat. The diseases they spread pose serious risks to human health. According to the World Health Organization, mosquito-borne diseases lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Preventing mosquito bites and reducing mosquito breeding are essential measures for controlling these diseases.

Ⅰ.A Little Science: Who Mosquitoes Prefer to Bite

1.People with High Sweat Glands and Body Temperature: Individuals who sweat have increased levels of lactic acid in their bodies, which produces a stronger scent in their sweat that attracts mosquitoes. Additionally, mosquitoes have temperature-sensitive receptors in their antennae, making them sensitive to temperature differences. Sweating individuals, due to rapid heat dissipation, are more noticeable to mosquitoes.

2.Exhausted Individuals with Increased Breathing Rates: After intense exercise or physical labor, people’s breathing rates accelerate, leading to an increase in carbon dioxide output. This carbon dioxide creates a plume near the head, which mosquitoes are particularly sensitive to, drawing them closer.

3.People Wearing Dark Clothing: Mosquitoes typically operate at night and prefer dark environments. Wearing dark clothing makes individuals more visible at night, attracting mosquitoes, especially those dressed in black, blue-purple, and red. In contrast, white clothing is relatively less attractive to them.

4.Individuals with Fast Metabolism: Generally, children have a faster metabolism than older adults, making them more prone to mosquito bites.

5.Individuals Who Use Makeup: Studies show that many cosmetics, such as hairsprays, hand creams, and facial cleansers, contain ingredients that are particularly attractive to mosquitoes, like stearic acid. Those using these products are often more likely to be bitten.

6.Individuals Who Drink Alcohol: Drinking alcohol, consuming red meat, or taking antihypertensive medication can alter body odor, making people more attractive to mosquitoes.

Conversely, certain scents are disliked by mosquitoes, including bay leaves, lemongrass oil, citronella, garlic, and the scent of geraniol. These scents can effectively repel mosquitoes.

Ⅱ.Mosquito Control Methods: Mosquito Traps

Given the rampant presence of mosquitoes, how can we effectively combat them? Mosquito traps have become essential tools for mosquito control. Below are a few types of mosquito traps:

1.Mosquito Lamps: These are common mosquito traps that use multi-band attraction technology, employing 365nm, 395nm, and 450nm wavelengths to attract various flying insects. They utilize adhesive boards to physically eliminate insects without pesticides, making them safe and non-toxic. This combination provides an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient high-efficiency mosquito lamp.

2.Electric Mosquito Killers: These traps use physical methods to eliminate mosquitoes, employing specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light to effectively attract insects, which are then killed by high-voltage electric shocks. These devices feature a 1800K color temperature design, providing warm, soft lighting that avoids being harsh on the eyes, aiding in peaceful sleep. They use LED bulbs for energy efficiency and are durable, minimizing heat generation during prolonged use.

3.Mosquito and Rodent Repellers: These devices can repel both mosquitoes and rodents. The mosquito repelling mechanism works in two ways: one is through sound waves that simulate the ultrasonic sounds made by mosquitoes' natural predators, like bats and dragonflies, interfering with their senses; the other is through scent, releasing unpleasant odors via heated mosquito-repelling agent strips. These products are compact and portable, making them ideal for on-the-go use.

Ⅲ.Tips for Using Mosquito Traps

1.Choose the Right Type: Select a mosquito trap that suits your usage scenario and needs to achieve the best results.

2.Regular Cleaning: Clean mosquito traps regularly to maintain their good working condition and ensure capture efficiency.

3.Combine with Other Mosquito Prevention Measures: Since mosquito traps have limited effectiveness, they should be used in conjunction with other preventive measures, such as using mosquito nets, applying mosquito repellent, and eliminating standing water to achieve the best results.

4.Safety: Choose products that meet safety standards.

As an effective mosquito control tool, mosquito traps have been widely applied in households, public spaces, and other areas. With proper usage, mosquito traps can effectively reduce mosquito populations and protect people's health and quality of life. We hope everyone can select the appropriate mosquito trap in their daily lives and use it scientifically and reasonably to enjoy a mosquito-free, fresh environment.

Quote：

https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/28/706838786/how-mosquitoes-sniff-out-human-sweat-to-find-us

https://www.terminix.com/mosquitoes/what-attracts-mosquitoes/are-mosquitoes-attracted-to-color/

Individuals Who Use Makeup

https://mosalogic.com/products/mosalogic-bug-zapper

https://mosalogic.com/products/mosalogic-mosquito-trap-insect-and-fly-killer-indoor-gnat-and-moth-catcher-with-2-modes-night-light-attracting-by-uv-light-and-sticky-glue-boards-for-trash-bin-plant-area-home-and-office

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejcu2WfUtzs&t=3s