Article 6BMKZ Soap can make humans more attractive to mosquitoes, study finds

Soap can make humans more attractive to mosquitoes, study finds

by
Hannah Devlin Science correspondent
from on (#6BMKZ)

Researchers say mosquitoes may be attracted to soap because when not feeding on blood they supplement sugar intake with nectar

Lathering up with soap might seem a reasonable mosquito-evasion strategy on the basis that if they can't smell you, they can't bite you.

However, a study suggests that rather than helping you go incognito, soapy fragrances could make you a more attractive target, with mosquitoes favouring the scent of volunteers who washed with three out of four popular soap brands tested.

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