Why Do These Iowa Mosquitoes Keep Biting My Ankles?!
After three days of backpacking through Yellow River State Forest, I was expecting sore legs, tired shoulders, a backache, and maybe a few bug bites. What I didn't expect was for Iowa's mosquito population to declare an all-out war on my ankles and feet.
The funny thing is that the attacks didn't really start until camp on my second night. It was the day my wife and I hiked the longest, just over 10 miles. We were sweaty, exhausted, and had slowly become an all you can drink buffet for those pesky airborne bloodsuckers. While hiking, my boots and tall socks kept everything covered; the mosquitoes mostly went for my ears and neck. However, the moment I switched to flip-flops at camp, my feet and ankles became a verified target for every buzzy beast.
There's some actual science behind how mosquitoes choose their targets, too.
After doing a little research I found that mosquitoes are attracted to the odors produced by sweat and the bacteria living on your skin. After a full day of hiking, your feet are basically broadcasting a giant "free dinner" sign. They STINK; and the mosquitoes home in on that like a ringing dinner bell! Add in body heat, exposed skin, and the fact that many mosquitoes already fly low to the ground, and your ankles suddenly become a free prime rib dinner.
Read More: This is Iowa?! Backpacking the Beautiful Yellow River State Forest
Essentially, mosquitoes use carbon dioxide, body odors, heat, and other chemical signals to locate their next meal. So, when you're out hiking, exercising, or just generally existing, you're dropping some seriously delicious signals for mosquitoes. Some have even suggested that they target the lower extremities intentionally to avoid easily "swat-able" zones of the human body.
Here in Iowa, the most common culprit is the floodwater mosquito, Aedes vexans. It's an aggressive biter that thrives after heavy rains and is notorious for making outdoor recreation miserable. This is the one we likely dealt with all day at Yellow River State Forest. Thankfully, this species rarely carries human disease, so they're more a basic pest than a real threat medically in our region.
So next time those mosquitoes seem obsessed with your ankles and feet, you're not imagining it. They're simply following their "nose" straight to the stinkiest, sweatiest, uncovered target on your body. Fix it with a pair of socks and you'll at least have one less itchy spot to scratch this summer.
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Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart