This not scientific analysis, but personal observations about mosquitoes and black flies (VT’s state bird).
Body odor has a lot to do in attracting these bugs. For some reason I don’t attract mosquitoes, expect it’s some kind of odor or lack of it I’ve been outside with little problem but when a visitor comes, they are switching these insects off them. Don’t know what, fragrant soap they use if that’s the case, or being natural human insect bait. Found out that warmth does attract them. They will seek out my ears that gives off heat. Also when the mailman arrives and stops to talk, the vehicle is loaded with them, heat of the engine. Women seem to attract them more so than men.
Another observation. Noticed within the past 5 years or so, when driving in the warm evening, my windshield isn’t so loaded with splattered bugs. Something is going on. It use to be driving with headlights you could see many bugs over the warm tarred highway and had to use the windshield washer to see. Not so now. Don’t believe Global Warming or pollution (in VT?). No one I know of has observed. I’ve driven in many states and haven’t notice the windshield / bug splattering situation.
This not scientific analysis, but personal observations about mosquitoes and black flies (VT’s state bird).
Body odor has a lot to do in attracting these bugs. For some reason I don’t attract mosquitoes, expect it’s some kind of odor or lack of it I’ve been outside with little problem but when a visitor comes, they are switching these insects off them. Don’t know what, fragrant soap they use if that’s the case, or being natural human insect bait. Found out that warmth does attract them. They will seek out my ears that gives off heat. Also when the mailman arrives and stops to talk, the vehicle is loaded with them, heat of the engine. Women seem to attract them more so than men.
Another observation. Noticed within the past 5 years or so, when driving in the warm evening, my windshield isn’t so loaded with splattered bugs. Something is going on. It use to be driving with headlights you could see many bugs over the warm tarred highway and had to use the windshield washer to see. Not so now. Don’t believe Global Warming or pollution (in VT?). No one I know of has observed. I’ve driven in many states and haven’t notice the windshield / bug splattering situation.
Great article.