Mosquito Facts: Why They Buzz on People's Ear

Barbecue season has come, and it is now time to refresh from the agonizing winter months. But there is one tiny problem that keeps coming back every summer-mosquitoes. Among the illness that it brings, why do these creatures pester us with endless buzzings on our ears?

Mosquitoes are one of the well-known insects around every neighborhood. The blood-sucking creatures are most widespread in the summer season. But other than the itchy, irritating bites they inflict on us in the hottest season of the year, why do mosquitoes hover over people's ears and produce buzz? It turns out that there is a reason behind the most annoying characteristic of these insects.

Why Do You Hear Mosquitoes Buzzing Over Your Head?

(Photo: Egor Kamelev / Pexels)

The buzzing we hear when a mosquito flies around our ears are simply side-effects of the insect's wing, according to University of Arizona's entomology professor Michael Riehle. These sounds are short range due to the size of the insects, so, naturally, we notice them whenever they hover on our ears, Riehle added.

Female mosquitoes are the most common suspects of the buzzing. This is explained through the different activities of male and female mosquitoes over their life span. The routine of male mosquitoes is to relax on flowers and sip on their nectars. Basically, male mosquitoes prefer nectar over human blood. Female mosquitoes, on the other hand, have more activities. After mating, female mosquitoes are required to find meals in the form of blood. This is to support themselves with energy in the process of producing eggs.

Riehle said that female mosquitoes could detect carbon dioxide humans exhale. The gas stimulates the insects and acts as their path. Once detected, the carbon dioxide will lead the female mosquitoes back to the source. Mosquitoes fly around not only on our ears but on our heads as a whole, as it is where humans exhale concentrated carbon dioxide. In addition, the wings of insects beat 500 times per second in a frequency of over 500 hertz. These are the sole reason why we hear the insects buzz near our ears.

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Why Mosquitoes Fly Near Your Head

Carbon dioxide and body heat are among the signals of female mosquitoes to detect human flesh. After landing on the part of the body, the insects use taste sensors located on their feet to identify if their prey, animal or human, is fit to suck.

Many studies point out that humans with type O blood type are the frequent patrons of mosquitoes. However, Riehle is not convinced about the concept, as no hard evidence can prove the relation between blood types and the insect's dinner preference. The factors Riehle is certain about are the person's genetics and diet, Live Science reports.

Human skin is also another factor that attracts mosquitoes into biting. A study published in PLOS One entitled "Composition of Human Skin Microbiota Affects Attractiveness to Malaria Mosquitoes" suggests that mosquitoes are more attracted to human skin with less diverse bacteria than those who have more. Mosquitoes are also inclined to bite people with a darker skin tone.