A medical myth persists that the B vitamin thiamine is a systemic insect repellent that wards off mosquitoes when taken orally. But scientists have disproven this mistaken belief again and again.
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Articles on Preventing mosquito bites
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Nuisance-biting and mosquito-borne disease are ongoing concerns for health authorities. But an effective citizen science program is now showing how all of us can help beat the bite of mozzies.
It’s tempting to ditch the mozzie creams and sprays, and switch to clothing that has its own “built in” bug repellent instead. But the technology isn’t quite there yet.
Those “itchy bites” are actually reactions to mozzie spit.
The sounds of mosquitoes may be annoying to many but tuning into their musical whines could help design new mosquito traps. Just don’t expect sounds from your smartphone to protect you from bites!
Bananas, garlic, vitamin B and beer. There is little scientific evidence backing claims that what we eat and drink changes how likely we are to be bitten by mosquitoes.
Top contributors
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Cameron Webb is a Friend of The Conversation.Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney
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Professor and Dean of Programs (Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences), University of South Australia
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Research Fellow at the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Carleton University
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Professor, Political Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland
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Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, University of South Australia
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Biologist, University of South Australia
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Manager of Vector Surveillance, University of South Australia
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Chromatographic Officer and Researcher, Department of Chemistry & University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria
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Associate Professor of Entomology, National Taiwan University
