Mosquitoes are a common nuisance, and while they can bite through barriers like blankets, a blanket’s effectiveness as a barrier depends on several factors. Understanding how mosquitoes locate hosts and penetrate materials provides insight into protecting oneself from their bites.
How Mosquitoes Bite
Female mosquitoes require a blood meal to produce eggs. To find a host, they use sensory cues, including carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled in breath, body heat, and skin odors. Mosquitoes can detect CO2 from over 30 feet away, guiding them toward potential hosts. As they get closer, they sense body heat and skin temperature, allowing them to pinpoint a landing site.
Once a mosquito lands, it uses its specialized mouthpart, called a proboscis, to bite. The proboscis is a complex structure of six needle-like stylets, protected by an outer sheath called the labium. The labium bends back as the mosquito inserts the fascicle (bundle of stylets) into the skin. Two of these stylets, the maxillae, have serrated edges that saw through the skin, while others hold the tissues apart.
The mosquito then probes with another stylet, the labrum, which acts like a straw to guide it to the closest blood vessel. Concurrently, the hypopharynx injects saliva containing anticoagulants and mild painkillers, which prevents blood clotting and helps the blood flow smoothly, often making the bite initially unnoticeable.
How Blanket Properties Affect Bites
The ability of a mosquito to bite through a blanket is directly related to the blanket’s physical characteristics. Fabric weave is a significant factor; tightly woven materials offer more protection than loosely woven ones.
Material thickness also plays a role. Thicker blankets, like those made from denim or heavyweight wool, are more difficult for a mosquito’s proboscis to penetrate. Conversely, thinner materials, such as lightweight cotton or silk, offer less resistance. The tension of the blanket against the skin is also important; if a blanket is stretched taut against the body, the fabric is easier for the mosquito to pierce, even if it is relatively thick. Loose-fitting or draped blankets provide more protection because the fabric is not pressed against the skin, creating a space the mosquito’s proboscis may not be long enough to bridge.
Comprehensive Mosquito Protection
Beyond blankets, mosquitoes can bite through various other materials, especially thin or stretched clothing. Fabrics like spandex, thin cotton, or polyester, particularly when tight-fitting, offer minimal protection. Mosquitoes can also bite through damp or wet clothing, as moisture can weaken the fabric’s structure.
For broader protection, several strategies can be employed. Using EPA-registered insect repellents containing active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin is effective. Wearing appropriate clothing is also a deterrent; loose-fitting, light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants can reduce bite risk. Tucking shirts into pants and pants into socks can help eliminate gaps where mosquitoes might access skin. Some clothing is also treated with permethrin, an insecticide that repels and kills mosquitoes on contact, offering enhanced protection. Maintaining screens on windows and doors, using air conditioning, and eliminating standing water sources around the home can significantly reduce mosquito populations.