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Post by spindrift on Apr 13, 2009 17:25:26 GMT
I read an article in the Economist today. The author offered hope regarding the eventual eradication of malaria. Scientists have found that it's only the ELDERLY female mosquito that carries the parasites that cause malaria. Apparently when a mosquito is hatched (born) it is not infected with the malarial parasite. These are only acquired, in time, by the female mosquito sucking blood from infected humans. The male mosquitos do not suck blood at all; they live on plant juices.
It takes time for the females to become infected and act as carriers. It has been documented that by the time they acquire malaria they have already given birth many times to baby mosquitos. It's only in their old age that they are a danger to humans.
So the idea is to target only elderly female mozzies...for it doesn't matter whether the males or young ones bite us...it's a nuisance but not a danger.
Trials are being carried out.
And if you don't believe me, buy this week's Economist.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2009 18:00:05 GMT
I thought everybody already knew that aging females are toxic.  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 13, 2009 21:02:49 GMT
Another perpetually adolescent male heard from!
Re the mosquito article: this is making me crazy because I am strongly reminded of a much anthologized short story -- maybe by Frank O'Connor? It's about a priest with an oppressive housekeeper, and in a conversation about mosquitoes she says something like, "It's only the female who bites -- she needs the blood for her eggs."
Anyone? What the heck is the name of that story?!
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Post by spindrift on Apr 13, 2009 21:53:39 GMT
Ha! We can always rely on K for ageist stuff.
Bixa - I don't think only the females bite....I guess the males and babies bite too - but they're not toxic, just annoying.
That story sounds familiar i.e. the priest and the oppressive housekeeper.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2009 1:59:12 GMT
Only female mosquitoes bite. They are the La. state bird. I worry more about West Nile Encephalitis than Malaria truthfully.I also read about the elder being the carrier.
Don't know that story Bixski. I do remember the scenes in At Play In the Fields Of The Lord,both book and movie.
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Post by happytraveller on Apr 14, 2009 11:23:31 GMT
So before I kill a mozzie, I have to check if it's an elderly female one first   |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2009 11:30:56 GMT
Yes,you must test for anatomical correctness. It's a weird science but very easy once you get the hang of it.
I love the term "mozzie",never heard that before. I know "skeeters".
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Post by happytraveller on Apr 14, 2009 12:00:19 GMT
Ozzies call them mozzies ;D
(Or at least my husband does)
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Post by spindrift on Apr 14, 2009 12:41:52 GMT
We called them 'mozzies' in East Africa...also Oz.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2009 12:44:45 GMT
So, in a sentence one would say? The oz are terrible tonight? I'm intrigued by these terms,tell me more.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2009 16:59:46 GMT
Hmmmm... Casimira, you need to get out more.
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Post by spindrift on Apr 16, 2009 20:10:12 GMT
The mozzies are terrible tonight!
Oz = Australia!
I know it's confusing. You were joking of course!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2009 20:30:56 GMT
Actually,I wasn't. K2 is right. A terribly provincial life I lead.
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Post by spindrift on Apr 16, 2009 21:13:39 GMT
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Post by happytraveller on Apr 17, 2009 6:51:18 GMT
I think my hubby wouldn't like it if I said "the Oz are terrible tonight" ;D
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Post by pookie on Apr 17, 2009 11:05:31 GMT
I call them bloody mozzies. They just love me and I hate them with a passion.
If anyone knows any good failsafe remedies apart from the obvious(light clothes ,long sleeves,repelant ect) I would be forever grateful.
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Post by spindrift on Apr 17, 2009 11:40:54 GMT
The old B-complex plus extra vitamin B1 work for me! But this remedy has been much criticized on these forums.
It all depoends on a person's metabolism whether this works for you or not.
Take one vitamin B-complex plus one vitamin B1 capsule once a day in the morning with breakfast (take with food for best absorption). Start doing this at least one week before entering mozzie territory. Continue for as long as you are in the area.
This combination of B vits alters the smell of your body excretions rendering you abhorrant to mozzies. Hopefully.
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Post by pookie on Apr 17, 2009 12:16:24 GMT
thanks for reply spindrift.I have tried that already with no result.
If we are outside under the patio I have citronella candles burning and sandlewood sticks and I will be the only one bitten.Also tried bands on arms and anckles,they will get me on the face.
My husband never gets bitten even if I am sitting next to him.He eats garlic raw maybe thats the answer!
We are going on holiday soon to malaria area and hopeing to find something as well as anti malaria med, repelant .
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2009 12:26:05 GMT
My understanding is that "skeeters" are attracted to body temperature not scent.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2009 12:56:54 GMT
Yes, I have also read that the mosquitos will go for the warmest body. That's why in a group of people only one person will be eaten alive usually while the others are not bothered.
As a child, I was devoured by them, but now I am not their victim of choice if anybody else is around.
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Post by pookie on Apr 19, 2009 0:28:59 GMT
You are probably right casimira and K2 ,since i have tried everything else.
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Post by happytraveller on Apr 19, 2009 7:06:27 GMT
I must be a very hot chick then !  |
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Post by pookie on Apr 19, 2009 13:21:44 GMT
I was thinking along those lines myself HT but in my case it would be Hot Old Hen  |
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Post by spindrift on Apr 19, 2009 15:29:49 GMT
Pookie - try eating lots of garlic then. Additionally you can swallow strong garlic capsules.
Mozzies ARE attracted to smell; I don't know whether they are attracted to body temperatures , anyway most of us maintain the same body temp.
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Post by happytraveller on Apr 19, 2009 20:04:25 GMT
pookie, once a hot chick, always a hot chick !
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Post by pookie on Apr 22, 2009 6:10:08 GMT
Mmm Mozzies are attracted to smell. This begs another question.
Happytraveller do we stinck or do we smell pretty?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2009 6:57:09 GMT
Well, to find out.... do you also attract flies?  |
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Post by pookie on Apr 22, 2009 8:48:55 GMT
And the answer is................no
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Post by happytraveller on Apr 22, 2009 8:55:35 GMT
No !  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2009 12:53:17 GMT
Mosquitoes ARE flies!
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