Scientists who study how insects and other pests choose their hosts have long been intrigued by blood types. But new research shows some blood-sucking pests may make choices about their next meal. Educating yourself on these preferences can assist homeowners in preventing unwanted visitors. However, in case of severe infestations, where preventive measures are not working, there might be a need to call the Exterminator Services in Hinsdale, which provides tailored solutions for specific pest problems.
Numerous biological factors such as body chemistry, skin bacteria, and carbon dioxide production relate to the blood types and their attractiveness to pests. As a result, these components combine to form unique service profiles, which makes them attractive targets for some individuals over others. This scientific knowledge can be used to help understand why some people living in the same conditions and even in the same house get bitten more frequently than others. Let us take a look into the science of pest preference and how to protect yourself no matter your blood type.
Do Bugs Prefer Certain Blood Types?
The answer is yes, but blood-feeding pests vary widely in their preferences — and pests have different relationships with blood type.
Mosquitoes, perhaps the most researched of all blood-feeding pests, have clear preferences. In one study, researchers found that people with Type O blood have nearly double the chance of attracting mosquitoes than do individuals with Type A blood. Type B blood is midway on the attraction scale. This preference seems to come from certain chemical markers that are exuded via the skin that help mosquitoes to know your blood type before they land.
Bedbugs have similar tendencies. Bed bugs are able to finish feeding quicker on Type O blood, indicating they may prefer it. They will, however, ultimately feast on whichever blood type is present when hungry.
For ticks, the connection is not so clear. The evidence is not as strong as with mosquitoes, though; while some studies have suggested a slight preference for Type A blood, the evidence is not as strong. Blood type alone seems less important than a combination of factors, like body heat and carbon dioxide emissions, when it comes to ticks.
Keep in mind that blood type is only one of the many factors impacting attraction. Your body temperature, metabolism rate, whether or not you’re pregnant, or even the amount of alcohol you drink can affect your attractiveness to blood-feeding pests.
What Can You Do To Protect Yourself From Pests?
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Environmental Management
Your first line of defense is to make the environment inhospitable to the pests. Remove mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water around your home. One bottlecap of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes. Keep your yard neat and avoid overgrown vegetation where ticks and other pests flourish. For pests that dwell indoors, like bed bugs, clean regularly to eliminate hiding spots (don’t forget to vacuum).
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Physical Barriers
It works to protect you irrespective of your blood. When outside, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes, especially when products are most active, like at dawn and dusk. It is worth treating clothing with permethrin, which studies indicate can decrease tick bites by 73 percent. As a sleeping site, employ bed bug-proof mattress encasements and put bed bug interceptors beneath furniture legs. This type of window is held onto the exterior of the building with special screens, and you can use 16-18 mesh, which blocks most flying insects while still allowing air to pass through.
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Chemical Protection
If applied correctly, repellents provide a strong defense barrier. DEET-based products are still the gold standard when it comes to protection against these disease-carrying pests, and those containing 25-30% DEET offer up to eight hours of protection; for those concerned with synthetic alternatives, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) products provide lasting protection, 4-7 hours. Inside your home, targeted treatments such as diatomaceous earth offer residual protection against crawling pests without the use of harsh chemicals. (Just follow the instructions on your product closely and reapply as instructed, especially if you swim or sweat a lot.)