Professor Lee Dong Kyu, who has studied mosquitoes for over 40 years at the Department of Public Health and Environment at Kosin University, has explained the characteristics of people mosquitoes prefer.
Professor Lee spoke about mosquito-related myths on the South Korean radio show Kim Jong Bae’s Attention on the 23rd.
He discussed the common belief that mosquitoes are more attracted to people who have consumed beer, pregnant women, and people with type O blood. He stated, “While there is some truth to these, they are not entirely accurate.”
Lee explained, “If you drink a lot of alcohol, your body excretes more metabolic substances due to the metabolic process. Mosquitoes are attracted to this smell, which is why they are more likely to go after people who have been drinking.”
Regarding pregnant women, he said, “Pregnant women have more active metabolic activities since they are carrying a baby and active secretion that mosquitoes can smell and are thus more attracted to.”
In response to the rumor that people with blood type O are more likely to get bitten by mosquitoes, he said, “There is no correlation between blood type and mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are incapable of differentiating blood type. It’s just that people with type O who are more active tend to sweat more, which attracts mosquitoes.”
Lee emphasized ways to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, “It’s best to wear long sleeves and pants during the day. Clothing is important in places like forests and parks. If you expose your skin, it’s good to apply repellent.”
He explained the common route mosquitoes use to enter houses: “They mostly come in through mosquito nets. The mesh of the net needs to fit perfectly. If it doesn’t, it can open up and create gaps.”
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