Surfactants safely take down mosquitoes without using insecticides

Researchers have developed a surfactant spray that counters the mosquito’s natural water-resisting properties, offering a safe and effective means of taking down mosquitoes without using insecticides. The spray could be used to protect people from the … Continue reading Surfactants safely take down mosquitoes without using insecticides

Natural treatment could make you almost invisible to mosquito bites

Mosquitoes are responsible for around 350 million human illnesses every year, with the number sure to increase as climate change bolsters the disease-carrying insect’s numbers. A recent study even showed how another human impact, light pollution, may b… Continue reading Natural treatment could make you almost invisible to mosquito bites

Increasing human footprint influences spread of insect-borne diseases

Much of the Earth has been modified by humans, which has a flow-on effect on natural ecosystems, including the insects that carry disease. For the first time, researchers have examined when and how environmental change affects the transmission of insec… Continue reading Increasing human footprint influences spread of insect-borne diseases

Blood-filled synthetic skin spares human volunteers itchy bites

In an effort to understand and help combat insect-borne diseases, many a human has sacrificed an arm in a tank full of mosquitos. Now, thanks to a new artificial skin impregnated with real blood, researchers might be able to spare humans the itchy bite… Continue reading Blood-filled synthetic skin spares human volunteers itchy bites

Thermacell brings some light to powerful electric mosquito repeller

Thermacell has once again grown its lineup of light, sleek mosquito repellers, fitting a radiant light to its E55 rechargeable-battery-powered repeller to create the all-new EL55. From backyard to backcountry, the EL55 brings two helpful outdoor gadget… Continue reading Thermacell brings some light to powerful electric mosquito repeller

New mosquito repellents keep bugs at bay for over 8 hours

Mosquito repellent is an everyday weapon to keep those biting bugs at bay, but it can be frustratingly fickle. Now researchers in Italy have developed new formulations that they say can last as long as eight hours, are odorless and boast other advantag… Continue reading New mosquito repellents keep bugs at bay for over 8 hours

Mosquitoes could be tracked via synthetic DNA – which was fed to them

In order to better understand how mosquitoes spread diseases such as malaria, it’s important to know how far they range within a given region. A new technique could help scientists do so, and it involves feeding the insects DNA.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Mosquitoes could be tracked via synthetic DNA – which was fed to them

Fatty acids on the skin explain why some people are “mosquito magnets”

If you’re one of the unlucky ones that seems to get ravaged by mosquitoes while others around you escape unscathed, a new study offers an explanation as to why. Scientists have examined what makes mosquitoes more attracted to some humans over others, a… Continue reading Fatty acids on the skin explain why some people are “mosquito magnets”

Modified mosquitoes die before their malaria parasites become infectious

When it comes to keeping mosquitoes from spreading malaria, some proposed approaches involve killing the insects, or stopping them from acquiring malaria parasites. A new method, however, stunts the growth of the parasites once they’re in the mosquito’… Continue reading Modified mosquitoes die before their malaria parasites become infectious

How viruses can change your body odor to attract mosquitoes

An international team of researchers has discovered an incredible way some viruses can alter the smell of their host in order to attract mosquitoes and spread to the next person. The study revealed Dengue and Zika viruses can alter a host’s skin microb… Continue reading How viruses can change your body odor to attract mosquitoes