Alcohol Consumption May Increase Mosquito Attraction, Expert Says
Floyd Shockley, who manages entomology collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, talks about a fascinating study linking alcohol intake to mosquito bites. He explains that female mosquitoes crave blood for egg development and are attracted by higher body temperatures, carbon dioxide, and skin odors—factors that can change after drinking. Interestingly, beer is particularly appealing to these pests, likely because of its carbonation and fermentation rather than just the alcohol itself. To reduce the chances of getting bitten, it’s best to cover up during dawn and dusk, wear lighter fabrics, use portable fans, and apply repellents containing DEET.
Key facts
- Floyd Shockley, PhD, FRES, is entomology collections manager at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
- Female mosquitoes bite to mature their eggs.
- Mosquitoes are attracted to increased body heat, carbon dioxide output, and skin odor.
- Alcohol consumption can cause physiological changes that increase mosquito attraction.
- Beer has the highest degree of attraction among alcoholic drinks due to carbonation and fermentation.
- Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.
- Light-colored clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes than dark colors.
- DEET is the gold standard for mosquito repellent.
Entities
Institutions
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Vogue
Locations
- Philippines
- Thailand