According to a recent study, the scents of some soaps may be more likely to attract mosquitoes, particularly the three out of four brands that the researchers’ research on.
Mosquitoes may be drawn to soap because they supplement their sugar intake with plant nectars when they are not feasting on human blood, according to the researchers.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Clément Vinauger, who oversaw the project, stated: “The fact that we are taking those flowery, fruity smells and putting them on our bodies means that the same object now smells like a flower and a person at the same time.”
“Imagine waking up and smelling something that tasted like coffee and muffins at the same time. Excellent,” the study’s principal researcher said.
However, the study also highlighted the possibility that the way soap interacts with individuals differs depending on their own scent.
Vinauger continued, “It’s amazing that the same person, who is incredibly attractive to mosquitoes when they are unwashed, can be converted even more attractive to mosquitoes with one soap, and then become unpleasant or repellant to mosquitoes with another soap.
The study that was published in the journal iScience, included four people who gave the fabric samples that they had worn as a sleeve while either unwashed or after washing with four different brands of soap — Dial, Dove, Native, and Simple Truth.
The study revealed that female mosquitoes — that only feed on blood — were found to be landing on the samples to give an insight into their preference.
Without exposing the participants the fabric was used to keep the effects of exhaled carbon dioxide aside, which is another important cue for mosquitoes.
When washed with Dove, Dial, and Simple Truth, it increased the attractiveness of some, but not all, volunteers, whereas Native soap repelled mosquitoes.
The researchers said: “The relatively repellent effect of Native could be linked to its coconut scent, as there is some evidence that coconut oils are a natural deterrent for mosquitoes.”
