MOSQUITOES

The most dangerous animal on the planet isn’t a shark or a lion — it’s the mosquito. It kills more
humans worldwide every year than any other creature, combined. Mosquito-borne diseases in the
United States are primarily viral, with West Nile virus being by far the most common and
widespread. Dengue and related viruses are an increasing concern in southern states and Puerto
Rico

Tiny, striped, silent daytime biter that spreads dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Usually strikes at
dawn, dusk, daytime, and even indoors.


WHO GETS BITTEN — Mosquitoes lock onto three precise signals: exhaled CO2, body heat,
and skin chemicals.


● Beer drinkers: One beer simultaneously spikes skin ethanol, CO2 output, and
temperature; carbonation creates a sustained attractant layer. Wine increases attraction by
39%.

● Blood Type O: Type O has a unique scent profile. Controlled studies show Type O
individuals receive 83% of bites.

● Post-workout: 30–60 minutes of elevated CO2, lactic acid, and skin temperature = peak
attractiveness. Shower and cool down before dusk.

● Your skin microbiome: Recent breakthrough — engineered normal skin bacteria (aka
probiotic) to stop producing lactic acid, a key mosquito attractant. One application cuts
attraction by 64% for 11 full days.




TIMING — WHEN THEY STRIKE
● Two main types: Culex (House mosquito: West Nile Virus) and Aedes aegypti (the
dangerous one- Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika): daytime biter — peak within 2 hours of
sunrise and late afternoon.

● Most species: dawn & dusk “golden hours.”

● Safest window: midday full sun — cold-blooded mosquitoes dehydrate and go dormant
in heat. Indoors is no safe zone — bites freely inside.




REPELLENT BREAKTHROUGHS
• Population control breakthrough: Google’s Verily Debug project is seeking EPA
approval to release up to 32 million non-biting male mosquitoes infected with naturally
occurring Wolbachia bacteria in Florida and California over the next two years. When
they mate with wild females, the eggs don’t hatch- a chemical-free way to suppress
mosquito populations long-term.

• DEET & SUNSCREEN: Always apply sunscreen first and let it absorb fully (10–20
minutes) before applying DEET or Picaridin. Avoid combination sunscreen/DEET
products- DEET can reduce sunscreen SPF effectiveness by up to ~30% and sunscreen
can increase DEET absorption through the skin (higher risk especially for kids). CDC and
AAP recommend separate products for safety and best results.

● Game-changer: Engineered skin bacteria create a living, self-sustaining repellent on
your skin — 11 days of protection versus DEET’s 4–8 hours. “Your microbiome isn’t just
health — it’s now your biological shield.”

● DEET alert: New research shows mosquitoes can behaviorally learn to ignore faded
DEET after one successful blood meal. Reapply every 4–6 hours — no exceptions.
Picaridin 20% lasts 8–14 hours, is fabric-safe, and sidesteps the learning issue entirely.


HOW TO AVOID
• DEET (reapply every 4–6 hrs) Avoid combination sunscreen/DEET products —
DEET can reduce sunscreen SPF effectiveness by up to ~30% and sunscreen
can increase DEET absorption through the skin (higher risk especially for kids)

• Picaridin 20% — lasts 8–14 hrs, odorless, fabric-safe — now preferred by many experts

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE/PMD): CDC-recommended plant-derived repellent that
performs nearly as well as low-concentration DEET and lasts up to 6 hours. Excellent
natural option (not for children under 3).

• Run a fan outdoors — mosquitoes can’t fly well in 1 mph+ winds

• Eliminate ALL standing water (a bottle cap’s worth breeds larvae)

• Wear loose, light-colored clothing

• Shower after workouts before sitting outside at dusk