Mosquito Magnet: 4 Colors to Avoid Wearing in Montana Summers

If you are like me, you enjoy a cocktail around the campfire. And, you always wonder "Why am I being bombarded by mosquitoes and nobody else is?" I always joked that I must be the "sweetest person" because of how I attract bees and mosquitos. But, no one ever believes me. Maybe it is simply because I reek of booze. Maybe mosquitos have a taste for "bloody marys?"

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The Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association did a study that was covered on Lifehacker.com on the effects of alcohol and mosquito bites.

According to Lifehacker.com:

Turns out mosquitoes like getting a little tipsy, because after just one beer, there was a significant increase in mosquito landings. They haven't determined what it is exactly about the drink that mosquitoes find so tantalizing, but if you're prone to bites, imbibing at your backyard barbecue could up your chances. Things like movement, an increase in body heat, and carbon dioxide production—burps—can increase their draw as well.

As it turns out, certain colors of clothing may also have an impact on attracting mosquitoes.

According to a study from the University of Washington

Mosquitoes appear to use odors to help them distinguish what is nearby, like a host to bite,” said Jeffrey Riffell, a UW professor of biology. “When they smell specific compounds, like CO2 from our breath, that scent stimulates the eyes to scan for specific colors and other visual patterns, which are associated with a potential host, and head to them.

AVOID THESE COLORS if You Don't Like Being EATEN ALIVE by Mosquitoes in Montana This Summer.

• RED

• ORANGE

• BLACK

• CYAN

The study at the University of Washington also found that there are certain colors that mosquitoes tend to steer clear of. Colors that DO NOT attract mosquitoes include:

• GREEN

• PURPLE

• BLUE

• WHITE

Even though mosquito season is here, they may not be as thick this year as they have in year's past. According to the 2024 Mosquito Forecast for Montana, there may be fewer mosquitoes this year due to the lack of standing water and moisture in the state.

READ MORE: MISSOULA’S ‘MOSQUITO FORECAST’, THE GOOD AND BAD NEWS