Hyderabad: Alcohol consumption can attract mosquitoes as the body odour is strong, according to a study published by the American Mosquito Control Association.
The study found that those who had taken alcohol had a larger number of mosquitoes attracted to them. It was found that those who have beer attracts more mosquitoes because of the smell emitted from the body is stronger. It was found that drinking beer increased ethanol content in the sweat which lures mosquitoes. The other reason was intake of alcohol increased the body temperature and the heat makes the mosquito rush towards these people.
Entomologist Mr K. Venkatesh said, “Studies have shown that those who eat a lot of sugar and sweets have more and more mosquitoes attracted to them. It is the body odour which attracts the mosquitoes. The alcohol is mostly fermented, hence the body odour is strong.”
Researchers stated that their experiments showed that those who consumed alcohol had mosquitoes going towards them. This means that the alcohol drinkers will be the first target of mosquitoes.
The increasing burden of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and zika is making researchers study body odour which attracts mosquitoes.
Dr G H Kishan, senior general physician, added, “The cities have become breeding ground for mosquito. To add to this, there are a good number of human bodies that create the right odour to attract them. Due to this reason, the spread is large and wide in urban areas.”
