Mosquito Magnetism

I've figured it to be the case for a while now, but a little surfing on the Net has me convinced...I'm a mosquito magnet, one of those people that can stand outside in a crowd and somehow be the only person bit. Now that summer is here, night fishing for bass starts getting kicked into high gear. Given all the rain we've had this year, that means lots of mosquitoes - which means lots of headaches for me. I've been bit enough that I tend to be hyper-sensitive anymore. Even fishing way upriver or up in the very backs of coves can be a problem where I find heavy vegetative cover along the shorelines along with some shade. So it looks like lots of DEET for me this year if I do any evening trips.

Here are the links to some good research highlights on what makes someone a target for a hungry mosquito:

1. Why are some people more attractive to mosquitoes? 
2. How attractive are you? To mosquitoes, that is.
3. Are you a mosquito magnet?
4. First floods, now pesky mosquitoes for Midwest 

Comments

[Jason McGowen]

LOL! You and I have the same problem!

Headin to Waveland in the mornin by the way! Hope the winds die down.

[Paul Roberts]

I'm one of the lucky. Mosquito's just don't notice me. And when I'm bit, it seems the welts disappear in about 5 minutes. It helps even more to have someone with me as a mosquito magnet LOL.

I used to be insensitive to others' plight, suggesting people "just ignore those mosquitos" until I brought a very gracious friend birding in a marsh. Afterwards, when I saw what she had suffered, I was horrified, and realized everyone is not the same to mosquitos.

This is a real advantage on bass ponds, but on trout streams, those blackflies eat me alive! I was at a Federation of Fly-Fisher's (FFF)convention once in the Adirondack Mt's, and I came into the lobby after a mornings fishing and doing my best to "just ignore" the blackflies. The horrified looks I received were understood when I went to the restroom and looked in the mirror. All the anti-coagulant administered in all those bites allowed blood to flow freely around my scalp, and it had run all down my neck and face. I looked like I'd been crucified under a thorny crown, suffered a failed brain surgery, or been in a car accident. At best I looked like a fool for not bothering with DEET and a headnet.

[Gary R]

I've got the same affliction Brian - the skeeters just love me. I can't go fishing without insect repellent. I keep a can in my truck and a small bottle of lotion goes with me out in the kayak.