28 Oct Do Some Sports Attract Mosquitoes More Than Others?

What Attracts Mosquitoes in the First Place?

Let’s face it, mosquitoes are everywhere and can make outdoor activities, which include your favorite sports, far from enjoyable. Many people tend to think that the more mobile they are outdoors, the less likely they are to be found by mosquitoes. However, it’s actually those on the sidelines or in the stands that may leave the sporting event with fewer mosquito bites. Below are factors that attract mosquitoes and are more predominant in some sports over others.

• Movement: mosquitoes sense and are drawn to movement; so the more active you are, the more likely you are to attract mosquitoes.
• Sweat: the chemicals in our perspiration, which linger on our skin and continue to be produced with constant movement, attract mosquitoes.
• Carbon dioxide: mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide which is released when we breathe.  The harder we breathe while playing sports, the more carbon dioxide we are exhaling.
• Location: for some sports, location can be everything; if you’re playing a sport in wooded areas or near standing water, then you can expect to attract mosquitoes.

Sports That Attract Mosquitoes More Than Others

Beach volleyball combines all of the above factors for mosquito attraction. Since beach volleyball players are in close proximity to water and have more exposed skin than most other sports, mosquitoes are almost certain to land and bite, making this one of the top sports for attracting mosquitoes. Your best protection from mosquitoes during this sport is insect repellent, such as NET effect.

Soccer is another top sport for attracting mosquitoes, due to the constant movement, sweating and heavy breathing of its participants. While there is less exposed skin in soccer than in beach volleyball, most tend to play in shorts and a t-shirt, leaving many opportunities for mosquitoes to strike players. All of this exposed skin leaves unprotected participants with potential for mosquito bites on their ankles, legs and arms.

Golf may not be a sport that comes to mind for attracting mosquitoes, due to its leisurely nature. However, wooded areas and ponds surrounding golf greens are often ripe with mosquitoes. Be sure to wear long pants and a sleeved shirt when playing golf to avoid pesky mosquito bites.

Mountain biking and hiking are other sports all about location. While most hike or bike through wooded areas or near bodies of waters, such as lakes, you’ll want to make sure you wear breathable but full-coverage clothing to keep mosquitoes from landing on your skin. If that is not an option, be sure to carry a repellent in your backpack.

Don’t Let Mosquitoes Ruin Your Favorite Sports

Whatever sport you’re taking part in, an insect repellent that contains DEET, such as NET effect, can keep you protected and prevent mosquitoes from being attracted to you. DEET interferes with the receptors that mosquitoes and other insects use to sense us; therefore, if they cannot sense you, then they cannot bite you. What makes NET effect even better is our convenient and safe roll-on applicator, so you don’t have to worry about inhaling any of the repellent’s chemicals. Visit our website to learn more about our roll-on insect repellent and to order your own bottle of NET effect today!