夏天来了，我们在享受冷饮的畅快和泳池的凉爽时，也逃脱不了蚊虫的叮咬。蚊子就像是夏天的“不速之客”，时时骚扰着我们，成为夏天最让人头疼的事情之一。蚊子为什么“偏爱”某些人？被蚊子叮咬后，皮肤为什么又红又肿？最有效的驱蚊方式是什么？今天我们就来仔细把这些问题搞搞清楚。

Summer is coming! However, while we enjoy cold drinks and swimming, we cannot escape from the bites of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are like unwelcome guests, harassing us as one of the most headache inducing things in summer. But why do mosquitoes' like 'certain people? Why does the skin turn red and swollen after being bitten by mosquitoes? What’s the most effective way to prevent mosquito bites? Let’s clarify all of the above issues.

1、蚊子是怎么找到你的？How do mosquitoes find you?

蚊子虽然有复眼，但却不是依靠复眼发现人类。它是利用触角上的短毛，来感知人体排出二氧化碳、乳酸、丙酮和二甲基二硫醚等特定化学物质，这些化学物质构成了人体的“气味标签”，让蚊子远远的就能发现人类。

哪些人更招蚊子呢？相较而言，二氧化碳呼出比例较高的人更招蚊子，蚊子能在50米外就感知到这类人群；基础代谢率高、出汗多的人也更容易吸引蚊子，因为乳酸与丙酮这两种蚊子超喜欢的物质是随人体汗液排出的；饮酒后，尤其是喝了啤酒，汗液中的酒精和乙酸等酸性物质也会成为吸引蚊子的“诱饵”。

Although mosquitoes have compound eyes, they do not rely on them to discover humans. The short hairs on their antennas help them sense specific chemicals emitted by human bodies, such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid, acetone, and dimethyl disulfide. These chemicals form the body’s "odor label," allowing mosquitoes to detect humans from a distance.

Who are more attractive to mosquitoes? Compared to others, people with a higher proportion of carbon dioxide exhalation are more attractive to mosquitoes. They can be found from 50 meters away! People with higher basal metabolic rates and more excessive sweating are also more likely to attract mosquitoes. Mosquitoes’ favorite substances such as lactate and acetone, are excreted through human sweat; After drinking alcohol, especially beer, acidic substances such as alcohol and acetic acid in sweat can also become "bait" to attract mosquitoes.

2、被蚊虫叮咬以后，怎么办？What should do after being bitten by mosquitoes?

在回答这个问题之前，我们先要搞清楚，被蚊子叮咬后，皮肤为什么会红肿痒痛？其实，当蚊子叮咬我们时，它们会注入一种叫做蚁酸（HCOOH，即甲酸）的物质，这种物质就会引起皮肤和肌肉的炎症反应，体现在感官上就是皮肤的红肿和痒痛。

所以，我们可以利用酸碱中和的原理，使用弱碱性物质如肥皂水、小苏打或牙膏来涂抹叮咬处，有效缓解痒痛和红肿；如果叮咬处皮损严重或瘙痒难忍，可以使用水杨酸为主要成分的止痒消炎水、清凉止痒搽剂、复方倍氯米松樟脑乳膏等外用药物进行治疗；如瘙痒剧烈或过敏症状严重，可口服氯雷他定胶囊、盐酸西替利嗪片等抗组胺药物进行缓解。

Before answering this question, we have to clarify why the skin becomes red and swollen. While biting us, mosquitoes inject us with formic acid (HCOOH), which causes inflammation in the skin and muscles and feelings of itchiness and pain.

According to the principle of acid-base neutralization, we may apply alkaline substances such as soapy water, baking soda, or toothpaste to the bite site to relieve itchiness, pain and redness effectively; If the skin lesions are severe or the itching is unbearable, salicylic acid based anti-itch and anti-inflammatory water, or anti-itch ointment, can be used for treatment; If itching and allergic symptoms are severe, antihistamines such as loratadine capsules and cetirizine hydrochloride tablets can be taken.

3、如何防止蚊虫叮咬？How can you prevent mosquito bites?

为了防止蚊虫叮咬，人类制作了很多驱蚊产品。薄荷、香茅等是其中的关键成分，薄荷中富含的挥发油薄荷醇（Menthol）和薄荷酮（Menthone），通过干扰蚊子的嗅觉系统来驱赶蚊子，让它们无法准确找到人类。另外，含DEET（避蚊胺）等化学驱蚊剂的驱蚊手环、驱蚊喷雾，通过影响蚊子的神经系统来达到驱蚊效果。

Humans have made many products to avoid mosquitoes’ bite, such as ones that include natural elements like peppermint and lemongrass. The volatile oils in peppermint, like Menthol and Menthone, interfere with the mosquito's olfactory system, repelling them and making it difficult to locate humans. In addition, the mosquito-repellent bracelet and spray, which contain DEET and other chemical mosquito repellents, can also repel mosquitoes by affecting their nervous system.

除了商业驱蚊产品，还可以利用自然界中的某些物质来驱蚊。例如，生吃大蒜后，人体会通过汗液排出一种特殊气味，这种气味对蚊子具有天然的驱赶作用。

利用蚊子对甜味的敏感性，可以制作糖水或啤酒陷阱来诱捕蚊子。将糖水或啤酒装入空酒瓶或口盅中，放在阴暗处，蚊子闻到甜味就会飞入并被粘住致死。这种方法很环保，适合在家庭和户外环境中使用。

Additionally, natural substances like raw garlic can be used to repel mosquitoes. The human body will release a special odor through sweat after eating raw garlic, which can naturally repel mosquitoes.

Because of the mosquitoes' sensitivity to sweetness, sugar water or beer can be an effective trap for them. Put sugar water or beer into an empty bottle and place it in a dark place. Mosquitoes will fy in and get stuck by smelling the sweetness. This method is environmentally friendly and suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.

因为人类呼出的二氧化碳是蚊子寻找猎物的首要线索，所以，科学家还通过模拟人体呼出的二氧化碳浓度，制作出一种叫做“二氧化碳陷阱”的装置，有效吸引并捕捉蚊子。

另外，因为蚊虫产卵需要潮湿的环境，因此夏日要尽量避免水沟积水，垃圾成堆。蚊子没有了产卵的环境，也就能从源头上降低蚊虫的数量，减少叮咬的情况发生了。

Since the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans is one of the primary clues for mosquitoes to locate humans, scientists have made a device called a "carbon dioxide trap" by simulating the concentration of carbon dioxide, which is also effective to capture mosquitoes.

In addition, because mosquitoes always lay eggs in humid places, not letting water or garbage accumulate is also effective to reduce numbers. Reduction of mosquitoes can reduce the occurrence of bites.

了解了蚊子的行为习性，懂得运用酸碱中和原理止痒，知道应用驱蚊产品的化学成分以及天然驱蚊剂，再到将环境清洁与化学防控相结合，我们不仅能够保护自己免受蚊虫的侵扰，还能在探索化学奥秘的过程中收获乐趣与成就感。让我们一起用化学的智慧守护这个美好的夏天吧！

By understanding the behavior of mosquitoes, the principle of acid-base neutralization to relieve itching, and the chemical composition of mosquito-repellent products, and combining environmental cleaning with chemical control, we can not only protect ourselves from mosquito bites, but also gain pleasure and a sense of achievement in exploring the mysteries of chemistry. Let's use the wisdom of chemistry to protect this beautiful summer together!