A new study from Dutch researchers has found that people who drink beer are significantly more likely to attract mosquitoes, raising concerns about certain lifestyle habits that could make someone a mosquito magnet.
Scientists from Radboud University Nijmegen, led by entomologist Felix Hol, conducted the research at the Lowlands music festival in the Netherlands. The study, published on BioRXiv, aimed to determine why some individuals attract more mosquito bites than others.
Researchers recruited 500 festival attendees and asked them to answer detailed questionnaires about their diet, hygiene habits, and recent behaviors. Participants then placed their arms in a specially designed chamber containing female mosquitoes. While the insects could smell the participants through tiny holes in the chamber, they were unable to bite. Cameras recorded the number of mosquitoes that landed on each participant and compared that data to how often the insects preferred a sugar feeder placed in the same space.
The findings revealed that individuals who consumed beer were 1.35 times more attractive to mosquitoes than those who abstained. Other habits linked to higher mosquito attraction included not wearing sunscreen, showering less frequently, and sharing a bed the night before.
According to the team, the alcohol itself isn’t necessarily what draws mosquitoes in. Instead, it may be changes in body odor or behavior — such as increased activity or sweating — that make a person more appealing to the bloodsuckers. These factors could make beer drinkers especially prone to becoming a mosquito magnet.
“No one was actually bitten during the study,” the researchers confirmed, noting that the setup allowed them to track mosquito preference without risk to participants.
The researchers also acknowledged limitations in the study, including the homogeneity of the test group, which largely consisted of young and healthy festivalgoers. For broader conclusions, they suggested that future studies should include a more diverse range of participants from different settings.
In the meantime, those looking to avoid becoming a mosquito magnet may benefit from reducing alcohol intake, using sunscreen, and maintaining regular hygiene routines.
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