You are probably thinking to yourself, “There is nothing fun about mosquitoes.” But despite being everyone’s favorite insect to hate on, mosquitoes are quite interesting, and these fun facts below prove it.
Only Female Mosquitoes Bite
Only the female mosquitoes will bite you, as they need your blood to provide protein for their eggs. Additionally, they produce that high-pitched buzzing sound that sounds so annoying. Male mosquitoes feed on nectar and largely stay away from humans.
Mosquitoes Are Attracted by Human Breath and Body Odor
Wonder why the mosquitoes are buzzing around you? Well, it’s because of your breath and body odor. Studies have shown that mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide, which we exhale while breathing, but scientists are still unsure why. Additionally, these annoying insects are great at picking up scents, especially ones coming from our bodies.
Mosquitoes Are More Active During Full Moon
If it is a full moon outside, you are better off closing all the windows and staying inside. This is because mosquitoes are more active during the full moon, with one study showing that mosquito bite frequency increases by up to 500% during these conditions. One of the reasons is that the moonlight lowers the effectiveness of artificial lights in attracting mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes Are Quite Slow
It might seem that mosquitoes are lightning fast, especially when you are chasing them around the room. But the truth is that their flying speed is just around 1.5 miles per hour, quite slower compared to bees or flies.