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Mosquito defense: Ways to beat the bite

The most dangerous animal on this earth is so small you don’t even notice it until they bite!

Over 1 million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mosquitoes can carry diseases like yellow fever and malaria.

But there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

Mosquitoes become active at temperatures above 50 degrees, but they really thrive above 70 degrees.

And, it turns out, a Harvard study shows that type O blood seems to be a mosquito’s preferred blood type, getting bit twice as much as people with type A.

So, what can you do? If you plan on going out, avoid wearing red, orange and dark colors like black and navy are a no-go!

A study suggests that these insects see human skin as a strong red-orange hue to their eyes, while darker colors are more likely to absorb and retain heat, and heat attracts mosquitoes.

Having a beer to stay cool? A study shows drinking 12 ounces of beer can attract mosquitoes to land more frequently on those drinking it.

And when you’re at home, clean up any standing water around your area. Mosquitoes lay their eggs there. Empty out kiddie pools, birdbaths, garbage cans and buckets.

Most pregnant women run hot, and they exhale more than 20% more carbon dioxide than women who aren’t. As a result, pregnant women attract about twice as many mosquito bites as other people.