This mosquitoes With its constant warmth, it can turn hot summer nights into an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience. constant bites and itching. These annoying insects Interested in different scents and chemicals what did we separate includes the type of soap we use to wash our hands or body.
Mosquitoes have a highly developed sense of smell and are attracted to certain organic compounds released through the skin or respiration. One of these compounds carboxylic acids responsible for body odor. Carboxylic acids are produced by the bacterial breakdown of sweat and vary depending on each person’s genetics, diet and health status. Some people have more carboxylic acids than others and are therefore more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes.
How to avoid mosquito bites: the surprising role of your soap!
However, it is not only carboxylic acids that affect the odor we emit. So do products such as soaps, creams, deodorants or colognes that we use to wash or perfume ourselves. Some of these products may contain chemicals such as alcohol, ammonia or lactic acid that attract mosquitoes.
It turned out: The soaps that attract mosquitoes the most and how to avoid them
A study by researchers at the University of Florida tested various commercial soaps on human volunteers and measured mosquitoes’ affinity for them. The results showed that some soaps significantly increased the attractiveness of mosquitoes, others had no effect or even reduced it. The soaps that attract mosquitoes the most were Dove and Simple Truth soaps because of ingredients like glycerine, coconut oil or artificial fragrances that make our skin smell sweeter or more floral for mosquitoes.
But there is good news for those who want to repel mosquitoes naturally. Some soaps contain mosquito-irritating ingredients and fragrances, such as lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint or rosemary. According to the same research, the soap that repels mosquitoes the most was Native, a natural and vegan soap that contains ingredients that give a fresh and mild scent, such as coconut oil, rosemary extract, shea butter, and lavender essential oil. Do not attract mosquitoes.
It’s important to remember that mosquito bite prevention goes beyond the type of soap we use. The use of repellents, appropriate clothing and other protective measures are important to avoid annoying bites and possible mosquito-borne diseases. Therefore, with a comprehensive prevention approach, we can enjoy summer carefree and keep these winged intruders away, especially if we know how to choose which soap to wash with.