A recent study from Radboud University Nijmegen reveals that beer consumption and certain human behaviors can actually make some people more attractive to mosquitoes, combining science with summer surprises.
Festival, science and human curiosity
At the Lowlands Music Festival in 2023, Sara Lynn Blanken and Felix Hol, from Radboud University, have created an original experience to say the least. In containers transformed into ephemeral laboratories, 465 festival-goers agreed to play voluntary guinea pigs. Between questionnaires on sleep, hygiene, alcohol and even recent sexuality, everyone then extended their forearm into a cage populated with mosquitoes Anopheles stephensiobserved by cameras. The idea? Measure how many mosquitoes landed on the skin, without a bite, a bit like a reverse popularity test.
The experience quickly took on the appearance of an interactive show. “Many finally wanted to know why they or their friends were always bitten“, says Felix Hol. Scientific seriousness happily coexisted with the curiosity and good humor of the festival.
Beer: an invisible signal for mosquitoes
The results were clear: people who consumed beer in the last twelve hours attracted more mosquitoes than non-drinkers.
But why? Because alcohol will increase body temperature and CO2 production, two elements spotted by mosquitoes.
But these insects are attracted by these even less perceptible cues, such as the natural odors of the skin, amplified by the presence of certain skin bacteria.
Human behavior also plays a role
But beer isn’t the only factor. The study found that recent sexual activity could also increase attractiveness to mosquitoes. ,Interviewed by Le Figaro, Guillaume Lacour, medical entomologist, explains: “Pheromones produced during sexual intercourse can remain on the skin and be detected by mosquitoes, just like after intense physical exercise.“. Similarly, neglected personal hygiene, lack of sunscreen or sharing a bed with a partner were associated with a higher attractiveness score.
These observations show how complex the interactions between physiology, behavior and environment are. Contrary to popular belief, neither blood type nor type of diet were decisive in this study.
What to remember to protect yourself?
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, researchers recommend simple but effective measures: applying a repellent, wearing long sleeves, showering regularly and moderating alcohol consumption outdoors, especially at dusk and in the evening, times when mosquito activity is highest.
The study also recalls the importance of vigilance in a context where global warming is gradually expanding the range of these insects and the diseases they can carry, such as dengue or chikungunya.
A window to a better understanding of our interactions with nature
Beyond scientific curiosity, this research highlights our intimate connection with the environment and insects. Understanding what attracts mosquitoes not only allows us to better protect ourselves, but also to think about our impact on the ecosystem. Each preventive gesture, from regular showering to the thoughtful use of alcohol, thus becomes a means of regaining a certain control over our immediate environment.
In a world where mosquitoes are both summer companions and vectors of disease, science offers us tools to live better with them, without giving up the simple pleasures of life. The issue is as much about public health as it is about harmonious coexistence with the nature that surrounds us.