Mosquito.buzz Blog

There may not be a more annoying sound on planet earth than the buzz of a mosquito in your ear during a warm summer's night... though nails on a chalkboard could come close! 

For many outdoor-loving Canadian's, the buzz and tickle of a mosquito during the evenings is just another staple of summer. But does it have to be? And why does it sound so whiny? Find out in our latest blog! 

Why Mosquitoes Buzz In Your Ear

Why do mosquitoes seem to love buzzing around your ears? Well, they're attracted to heat and carbon dioxide, which we’re constantly creating with our breath. Whenever you exhale, you’re releasing a plume (a visual pattern of carbon dioxide) for potential mosquitoes to sniff out and follow. Mosquitoes use sensors around their mouths to detect carbon dioxide, and the plume you leave allows them to zone in on you; they can sense it from up to 50 metres away.

Certain types of people naturally produce more carbon dioxide, so it makes sense that they tend to get targeted more. This includes larger or heavier people; they exhale more gases than smaller folk, making them more likely to be on a mosquito’s radar. Equally, if you’ve just done some running and are a little short of breath, you might be surprised at all the mosquitoes trying to keep up with you. 

Pregnant women are more at risk, too. It’s been found that ladies with a bun in the oven exhale around 20% more carbon dioxide than non-pregnant women, so it’s especially important to take extra precautions outside if you’re pregnant. 

Consensus? Mosquitoes aren’t so much attracted specifically to our ears as they are to our heads, or breath, in general.

Why Does It Sound Like That?

Because they're blood-thirsty sadists that like to ruin our summer's and keep us up all night? Well...not exactly. According to Science ABC, the buzzing noise you hear is made by the flapping motion of the mosquito’s wings, which can actually beat up to 1,000 times per second. It’s believed that they can change the pitch of the buzzing sound as they increase or decrease the frequency of their flapping, including when they’re chasing a mate.

Both female and male mosquitoes create the legendary whine of a mosquito, but females actually create a higher-pitched sound than males. While you could in theory hear the buzz of a male mosquito, most humans never do, as they feed off nectar and plants and tend to leave us alone. 

If mosquitoes are buzzing in your ears and driving you crazy, contact mosquito.buzz today so we can help you #StayOutside all season long! Our expert team of licensed and trained technicians will visit your property every 21 days to ensure you and your family are protected from mosquitoes and the harmful diseases they carry.