October 10, 2024, 11:05 am | Read time: 2 minutes
There are numerous products available to combat annoying mosquitoes, from sprays and candles to special repellent bands. Unfortunately, these aids do not always help. Some time ago, a scientific study suggested that certain electro-music could be a suitable means of repelling mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes can be a problem, especially in hot and humid summers. They cause sleepless nights, suck our blood, and, in some cases, can even transmit diseases. Researchers around the world are also looking into the question of how we can protect ourselves from these annoying insects. One particularly interesting method has been investigated by a group of scientists from Thailand. According to their findings, the right music can repel mosquitoes.
Study suggests repelling mosquitoes with music
A Thai research team reports in the tropical medicine journal Acta Tropica on an experiment on the sound sensitivity of mosquitoes. Back in 2019, they investigated whether disturbing noises influence the biting and mating behavior of mosquitoes. This was preceded by the discovery that mosquitoes can perceive certain sound frequencies well. Among other things, the insects make use of this ability by matching the sound of their wings flapping to each other. The animals then mate.
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Electronic sounds inhibit mosquitoes
The researchers set up an experimental cage for their study. They placed male mosquitoes that were willing to mate and female yellow fever mosquitoes that had not consumed blood for a day in the cage. A golden hamster, which was also placed in the cage, served as the “host.” They then played the dubstep track “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” by US DJ and producer Skrillex at a high volume to the animals. The researchers chose the song because of its constantly rising pitch.
The scientists observed that the mosquitoes attacked their “meal” within 30 seconds during the quiet moments, sucked blood, and mated frequently. In contrast, the animals exposed to the electro song hesitated much longer before sucking blood. The mosquitoes only flew at the hamster minutes after the Skrillex song had finished and then were rather hesitant to bite. The researchers also found that the insects mated five times less often.