Summertime is made to be outdoors whether it is enjoying water-based activities or simply having an evening cookout with family and friends.
Inclement weather can have a negative impact on these types of activities but nothing can ruin an outing more than relentless swarms of mosquitoes. Due to recent rains and warm weather there seems to be no shortage of the bloodsuckers.
Have you ever noticed the tiny insects may prefer one person over another? There is some truth to this. And if you find yourself getting a lot of mosquito bites, it could be because of the way you smell or the colors of clothes you are wearing.
“If you think you are a mosquito magnet, it’s probably the case,” Jeffrey Riffell, a biology professor at the University of Washington who studies mosquito sensory systems, said in a video on the university’s website released earlier this month. “Some individuals are bitten way more than others.”
“Mosquitoes are remarkably good at trying to locate a person to drink their blood,” Riffell said. “They are vampires, and they’re very good at what they’re doing. Their eyes, their vision, their nose, everything about them is geared towards finding us and biting us.”
Although we have all been surprised at one time or another by the bite of a hungry mosquito, many will be also surprised to learn these tiny bloodsuckers actually prefer the sugary sweet nectar of flowering plants. Males are strictly nectar feeders while females do all the biting. Females go after blood, not for their survival, but to gain important iron and proteins to help eggs develop.
According to Purdue University Medical Entomology department, Approximately 55 species have been documented in Indiana, but only about 12-15 are of significance to public health.
Researchers have found roughly one in eight people are considered highly attractive to mosquitoes. Although scientists have yet to pinpoint exactly what these winged pests consider the perfect hunk of human flesh, they do know that genetics account for nearly 85 percent of a person’s susceptibility to mosquito bites. Genetics determine our overall body chemistry and certain characteristics, such as cholesterol and lactic acid, especially when found in excess amounts on the skins surface. This could be one reason why they swarm some people while avoiding others.
They can also smell dinner from an impressively long way off. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide we emit with every exhale. Naturally, larger people give off more carbon dioxide which is why most mosquitoes prefer adults over smaller children.
Colors of our clothing can make a difference as well. They seem to love red and black, while disliking white and green.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called the mosquito “the world’s deadliest insect” because they can spread diseases to humans, such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. Globally, mosquitoes account for more deaths than any other insect or animal. Research has found that climate change has led to an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
As far as protecting yourself when spending time outdoors, especially during early morning or evening hours the best protection can be nothing more than loose fitting long-sleeved shirt and pants. Applying some type of EPA approved insect repellent provides another layer of defense. Speaking from experience, Thermocell also make an electronic deterrent that can be worn on a belt or placed close by that does a good job of repelling mosquitoes. It vaporizes small amounts of insecticide creating a bug free zone.
Everyone knows to reduce the growing population of the small winged insects we need to remove standing water. But in most cases this can be nearly impossible. Knowing how to deal with these annoying and sometimes dangerous insects will help us enjoy our outdoor resources in relative comfort while avoiding being a meal yourself.
TOURNEY RESULTS
• Members of the Kokomo Bass Anglers recently came off another club tournament, held on Lake Chapman. In spite of the 90-degree heat, Cory Lorts put it together winning first place and the event’s “big fish” honor. He won the event with five largemouth bass totaling 13 pounds, 8 ounces with his largest tipping the scales at 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Second place went to Jim Lorts with five fish weighing 12 pounds, 14 ounces.
If you would have an interest in learning more about the club, you can contact Don Thompson at 765-661-2946.
• Participants of the Kokomo Reservoir Monday evening tournament series had a bonus competition last Saturday on our local lake.
The father-and-son team of Phil and Randy Reel came away with the win after weighing in five largemouth bass dropping the digital scales at 11.90 pounds. Bart Grider, fishing solo, brought in second with five fish weighing 10.17 pounds. Tyler and Zach Robinson rounded out third place with five fish weighing just under 10 pounds. Ethan Miller had the tourney’s “biggest fish” with a largemouth topping out at 3.02 pounds.
• Eric Kinney and Dan Hinkle won Monday’s Kokomo Reservoir open team bass tourney with five largemouth bass dropping the digital scales at 9.76 pounds. Corey and David Hinkle brought in second with five fish weighing 9.36 pounds. Third place went to Matt Cottrell and Matt Durben with five bass totaling 8.67 pounds. The team of Bart Grider and Carl Beutler received the tourney’s “big bass” award with a fish tipping the scales at 3.58 pounds.
• Tony Long and Dom Nix swept the Delphi-Delco team tourney, held on Mississinewa Reservoir with three largemouth bass weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces. They also had the tourney’s “biggest bass” with a fish topping out at 2 pounds, 12 ounces. Fishing solo, Terry Roe reeled in second place with two fish totaling 3 pounds, 2 ounces.
