mosquito bites

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When we have visited My my wife, who originates from that part of the world, gets badly bitten, although they never touch me. Has this been much of a problem for anyone who has settled in My?

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If you have been living in a cold country your blood will be thicker, this seems to attract mozzies. After around 6 months in Malaysia you blood thins and therefore less bites. Although we still get bitten occasionally we are not troubled like we used to be.

It is often quoted that some people never get bitten because of their blood type, not sure if this is true or just wishful thinking.

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Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes except using repellents. Scientific studies have now proven that some people are simply 'deemed' to be more attractive to mosquitoes than others.
I watched a documentary about six months ago that proved this point by having two women place a hand each into a tube like structure, both tubes leading to a small swarm of mosquitoes. When the mosquitoes were released almost all the swarm, (except I believe three) went straight to one hand.

Reasons for this include:
In general mosquitoes love people who have high concentrations of steroids and cholesterol on their skin surface. They also like people who produce large amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid. Folic acid also seems to be something they find tasty. Folic acid is a very important nutrient and most pregnant women take folic acid supplements. Not surprisingly women often find they are bitten more frequently when pregnant than when not.  Big men also tend to get more bites than small children due to the fact that they exhale more carbon dioxide than young children. Alcohol makes the skin warmer and mosquitoes find that very appealing.

To attract the opposite sex humans and many animals emit sexual pheromones which work like a chemical signal that tells the opposite sex that they are ready to mate. Unfortunately the pheromones do not only attract the opposite sex. Recent research shows that mosquitoes are experts on recognizing pheromones and that they are very much attracted to it. So, if you are in love, you better watch out for those nasty little mosquitoes.

The most recent scientific study commissioned was by Iowa State on behalf of the US Government.
A browse on Google will provide further detailed information.

Hope that this helps

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Wow that's very interesting C-A, and welcome back  Where've you been?

I've been living in the Tropics for nearly 5 years now (not Malaysia just yet) and the mozzies still like me unfortunately.  Sorry QJ, that blows your theory.

I find that the monsoon season is the worst time.  I do use mozzie spray several times a day, so that can cut down the bites.  I've also heard that sunset is a bad time for getting bitten, and we do usually go out to eat at that time, so we're probably not helping matters.

I'm interested in C-A's findings.  I do take some medication and do get quite hot sometimes also (ah, those hot flushes, ladies  ) and do drink alcohol - so I'm probably doing a few things wrong here.

Is it a problem?  I would say it's a nuisance but wouldn't lead me to leave south east Asia.  If I had the choice of Mozzies or Snow, I'd choose the mozzies.

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Hi CA and Papaya,

I wasnt judging the situation by any scientific means. I just know that the majority of people I know get bitten less after a few months. I just think Papaya is just more attractive than most and is bound to attract pests.

There is a large amount of fogging that occurs in Penang and I think this is the major reason for less bites, of course Batu Ferringhi is an exception. I also think that air conditioning lowers the metabolic rate of Mozzies so they sting less.

I have to agree with CA about men emitting pheromones. I havent emitted any for years now and don't get bitten. If I start to get the bites maybe things are looking up.