Like one of the researchers in the article, I am irresistible to mosquitoes. If there is a mosquito around it will home in on me rather than on other people. I'm popular at parties, as I draw all the mosquitoes away from the other guests! I have to wear mosquito repellent indoors and out, and even then they hover near me, looking for an unprotected blood vessel. Aye, 'tis a dubious honor to be so sought after!

"Researchers have identified more than 300 chemical compounds that a human emits, chiefly from the skin, and they're trying to figure out which ones most influence mosquito behavior. Some claim they've isolated a few ingredients that appear to make us undetectable to mosquitoes. They're working to formulate them into a new way of protecting us from biting insects...The hope is to publish findings next year, then seek a manufacturer to license the discovery, develop and market a product. He envisions an aerosol device that would release cloaking compounds into the air."

Good to know. I prefer citronella, and Avon's "Skin so Soft" as repellents.

I prefer my wife, as she draws them away from me.

@Socratoad: Your poor wife!

@kk: I live in Ontario, where the mosquitoes are so big that they are referred to as the provincial bird. I used to think that the mosquitoes back in Indiana were big until I moved here! I used Skin So Soft in Indiana, but don't have any here--I'll have to look for an Avon rep, even if the repellent properties of Skin So Soft are very short-lived. The reason I haven't used citronella here is that it supposedly attracts bears, and when it comes to choosing between being bitten by a bear or being bitten by a mosquito I'll take my chances on the latter--even though there are far more mosquitoes here than there are bears.

The reason I haven't used citronella here is that it supposedly attracts bears, and when it comes to choosing between being bitten by a bear or being bitten by a mosquito I'll take my chances on the latter--even though there are far more mosquitoes here than there are bears.

Oh my!

The discovery channel says the color blue attracts mosquitoes.

Yikes! I jog on the trails by a river and I am so tired of being bit by mosquito's! Sweating most definitely is my downfall.

@alanocu: Thanks for the link. Apparently the product isn't available here in Canada yet, unfortunately. Next time I'm down South I'll look for it. In the meantime I'm stuck with burning mosquito coils and dousing myself with toxic DEET (spray and lotion forms) whenever I can't otherwise avoid the buggers. Last night was particularly bad; before I woke up enough to find and use the DEET lotion I had several miserably itchy welts on my forehead, which I'm still suffering from as I write this. Yes, mosquitoes do suck!

5. Drinking beer. Sorry about that

I think this is very sad news. Who would have thunk it? Oh well, I guess the mozzies just want in on some of the fun too.