Mosquitoes Drawn to Alcohol & Recent Activity, study Finds
A recent study from Radboud University in Nijmegen suggests that mosquitoes might potentially be more attracted to individuals who have consumed alcohol and engaged in recent physical activity.The research,conducted at the Lowlands music festival in 2023,investigated how lifestyle factors and biological signals influence mosquito attraction.
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance; they are considered the deadliest animals on Earth, responsible for transmitting diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus, contributing to an estimated 2.7 million deaths annually according to the World Health Organization.
Researchers, led by biologist Felix Hol, collected data from approximately 500 festival attendees. Participants answered questionnaires regarding their hygiene, diet, and recent behaviors before presenting their arms (without allowing bites) to cages containing mosquitoes. This setup allowed the insects to detect the participants’ scent.
The results revealed a notable correlation: individuals who reported drinking beer and having engaged in sexual activity the previous night were, on average, 1.35 times more attractive to mosquitoes than those who hadn’t. Conversely, recent showering and the application of sunscreen appeared to decrease mosquito attraction.
These findings build upon existing research linking mosquito behavior to carbon dioxide emissions and olfactory cues, suggesting that changes in body chemistry resulting from alcohol consumption and physical exertion can enhance a person’s appeal to mosquitoes.
While the study represents the largest of its kind, researchers acknowledge limitations, including potential sample bias due to the festival setting and the lack of strict laboratory controls.Despite these limitations, the study offers practical advice: limiting alcohol intake and consistently using sunscreen may help reduce mosquito bites, alongside their established health benefits. As the researchers noted, mosquitoes appear to have “a taste for hedonists among us.”
