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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Freddie Alderson on 01/12/2011 20:01:02

Title: Why would an ultrasonic mosquito repellent device prevent bites?
Post by: Freddie Alderson on 01/12/2011 20:01:02

Freddie Alderson asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Chris

I have been sailing on my yacht on the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal. While we have been sailing we have been bothered by mosquitos. I have two questions; firstly all the crew have been repeatedly bitten almost every day with the exception of myself I have not been bitten at all why do they bite some people and not others?

Secondly we have recently bought an ultrasonic mosquito repellent device, since we have started using it there are still mosquitos on the boat but they have not been biting anyone, how does this device work?

Thanks for the podcasts (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) I listen to them (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) every night, great programme (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/).

Regards

Freddie Alderson
What do you think?

Title: Why would an ultrasonic mosquito repellent device prevent bites?
Post by: CZARCAR on 01/12/2011 17:31:23

y

Title: Why would an ultrasonic mosquito repellent device prevent bites?
Post by: Nizzle on 02/12/2011 14:14:41

Mosquitoes are attracted by a combination of infrared radiation (body heat), CO₂ concentration (breathing) and a mixture of chemicals (body odor).
Maybe they don't like how you smell, or prefer the smell of other people more, or you're a bit more cold blooded than your fellow sailors. :)

How the ultrasonic device works, I don't know

Title: Why would an ultrasonic mosquito repellent device prevent bites?
Post by: CZARCAR on 02/12/2011 16:24:45

From description i'd guess the electronic signal is fooling mosquito to think that its fed/full. How much blood can mosquito consume & still fly?