Have you ever been covered with itchy mosquito bites, only to have your friends innocently proclaim that they don’t have any? The Heiman’s two ladies, my wife and daughter, get smashed every time we go bush. So I’m never surprised when a visit to a local chemist, hardware store or fuel-stop is accompanied by their purchase of whatever new mozzie-repelling gimmick is being marketed with the promise to repel swamp angels.

But are they throwing good money after bad? Are they destined to be mozzie-meat regardless of what spray they use, band they wear, mozzie coil they light, or clothes they don?

According to the Smithsonian around 20% of individuals are tastier than others for the little invertebrate; and these same individuals smell better to mozzies too. More specifically, research shows that mosquitos can find certain blood types more appealing than others and can distinguish our blood type by a specific chemical that we secrete.

So: who are the most tasty, sweet smelling individuals?

Well, the studies tell us that Type O are twice as likely to be bitten that Type A; and those with Type B fall somewhere in the middle.

Mozzies also detect their targets by locating carbon dioxide in our breath. Larger people exhale more frequently and deeper over time. Mosquitos can also smell uric and lactic acids as well as ammonia - and these are found in our sweat. So people who exercise generally expel more of these waste products – while other individuals are simply more genetically disposed to secrete them.

Body heat is also an attractant to some species of mozzie. So those with a higher body temp will get more bites, with pregnant women being twice as likely to get bitten because they’re both expelling more carbon dioxide and also have an average body temp that’s one degree higher than normal. For the rest of us, mozzies will come looking for our hot bits - which is why we tend to get bitten on the neck and have them buzzing around our ears!

Mozzies also have a complex eye and as such are attracted to movement and colours that stand out such as red and dark blue which are on the extremes of our colour range. This suggests they ‘see’ the UV and IR spectrum more than visible light. Which makes sense if they are attracted to heat.

They also seem to be attracted to some types of bacteria more than others; while at the same time being repelled by more diverse bacteria build ups. So you should expect to get bitten more on the ankles than in relatively dirty places like the armpit or groin.

With all this in mind, next time you’re out camping have a look around to see who’s getting bitten more than others. If the boffins are correct, your campfire companion who’s most under attack will: have Type O blood; have a larger frame; be breathing, sweating or exercising more than usual/others; be pregnant; and be wearing a dark blue or red shirt.

In the meantime …

• Cover your skin as much as you can when mosquitoes are active,

• Use an insect repellent on exposed skin and the brim of your hat, boots and cuffs.

• Make sure the screens and seals in your camper/tent/bivvie or caravan are secure and repair any rips and tears,

• Avoid camping near standing water,

• Then try also burning a coil or citronella product, and

• Throw a little green eucalypt leaves on the fire or a dry cow pat to generate smoke.

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