Rain, Rain Go Away….those mosquitoes are swarming everyday. The rain has definitely been falling in the Flathead Valley area lately and it has brought lots and lots of mosquitoes. These aggressive vampires are swarming the streets looking for their next victims especially during the dawn and dusk hours. This year has been worse than other years because the snowpack increased from March through May combined with a hot June and lots of rain resulted in an increase in mosquito egg hatching. Check out these tips to find out why mosquitoes bite some people more than others and the best ways to avoid getting bitten by them.

Why do mosquitoes seem to bite some people more than others?

When it comes to mosquito bites, it seems that there are two kinds of people: Those who get bites all the time and those who rarely get bitten. There are scientific reason why some people seem to be luckier than others. About 20 percent of people are especially delicious for mosquitoes, according to scientists. Below find a few factors that could explain why you might get bitten much more than the person sitting next to you.

Blood Type
Your blood type may have an impact on how often you get bitten by mosquitoes. One study found that people with the blood O got bitten more often than any other blood type. The study said that people with the blood type O got bitten almost twice as much as those with blood type A.

Carbon Dioxide & Exercise
Mosquitoes use carbon dioxide as an indicator that a host is nearby. This means your metabolism, or the amount of CO2 your body releases as it burns energy, is a big factor when it comes to attracting mosquitoes. In addition to carbon dioxide, mosquitoes find victims by smelling the lactic acid, uric acid, ammonia and other substances you sweat out. They also like people with higher body temperatures. Since exercise increases the buildup of lactic acid and heat in your body, it likely makes you stand out to the insects. So you may think twice about going for a run during mosquito season.

Pregnancy
If you are pregnant you could attract roughly twice as many mosquito bites as others, according another study. Pregnant woman exhale about 21 percent more carbon dioxide and are on average about 1.26 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than others.

Clothing Color
Believe it or not, but some experts suggest the color of clothing may also attract mosquitoes. They say mosquitoes use vision (along with scent) to find people. This means wearing colors that stand out such as black, dark blue or red may make you easier to find.

Best Ways To Avoid Mosquito Bites

There are several steps you can take to avoid mosquito bites and to keep them away from your home and family.

1. Remove All Standing Water – Standing water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos. Mosquitos will breed in trash cans, plant pots, and even old tires that have water in them. If you eliminate the breeding ground around your home, you will reduce the chance of getting bitten.
2. Insect Repellent – There are lots of different types of insect repellent available. The EPA recommends using repellents that contain 15-30% DEET or 15% picaridin. Check the label for the product’s EPA approval.
3. Clothing – Avoid mosquito bites with the right clothing. Wear clothing that has long sleeves and pants if you are gardening or hiking in mosquito-prone areas. There are also clothing lines that are bug-resistant that you may want consider as well. Wear tightly woven clothing that is tough for mosquitos to bite through.
4. Timing – It is important to stay indoors at dusk and dawn. Mosquitos are a lot more active during these times, so it is best to avoid them.
5. Fans – If you are hosting a summer barbecue, consider using fans. Not only will the fans help with keeping away mosquitos, they will also keep all of the guests cooler.
6. Repellents – Consider using Tiki Torches with Citronella or even setting up mosquito electronic insect killers to minimize the mosquitos.

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Whether you are a local or a visitor, we have all the insider information on the best places to check out every day of the week. Check out our  Events Calendar – HERE –  and get in the buzz!