Mosquito bites top list of summer’s most annoying moments: poll

Caroline BleakleyAugust 18, 2023

Mosquitoes top the list of the most annoying parts of summer, according to new research.

A recent survey of 2,000 adults found that more than a quarter (28%) said mosquitoes were their most frustrating time during the summer months, followed by sweating and excessive heat in second place (27%).

Insects are a real nuisance for many. So much so that people would rather stand at an outdoor checkout for hours (49%) or spend a month without social media (44%) than be covered in bug bites.

Apart from annoying insects, summer brings other problems. More than eight in ten people (88%) get sunburned an average of 2.5 times, with only 12% of people not typically getting sunburned at all.

It’s no wonder more than seven in 10 respondents (71%) feel like they’re not getting the most out of the summer due to seasonal frustrations.

Commissioned by OUT OF! The study, conducted by OnePoll ahead of World Mosquito Day on August 20, also found that people are still willing to brave the summer heat to cook (34%), picnic (34%), festival (34%) or camp (33%). and watching the sunrise or sunset (32%).

However, many regret their adventures “always” or “often” because of bug bites (40%) and sunburn (35%). Respondents felt regularly bothered by mosquitoes (53%), flies (51%) and ticks (39%).

Bug bites appear to overwhelm Gen Z, with two-thirds (66%) of whom “always” or “often” wish they hadn’t participated in their activity of choice because of the unpleasant consequences.

People seem anxious to avoid repeating past experiences, with more than half (59%) having previously canceled or postponed their plans due to bug bites – including 74% of Gen Z respondents.

While there are several factors that may explain why some people are mosquito magnets, respondents suspected that among the most important factors were their perfume/cologne (48%), sweat (47%), the smell of sunscreen (41%) and their Diet (41%) included.

“Mosquitoes are attracted to body heat and lactic acid, a substance your body expels when you sweat — especially during the hot summer months,” said Dr. Tom Mascari, an entomologist at SC Johnson’s Center for Insect Science. “They are also attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale when we breathe and can find even the smallest areas of exposed skin. To prevent mosquito bites, choose a repellent that suits your needs and situation, and make sure any repellent you use contains active ingredients that have been tested and proven to repel mosquitoes, like DEET or Picaridin.”

While people tend to prepare for summertime outdoor activities by applying sunscreen (53%) and insect repellent (49%) before going outside, the study found that this is not commonplace. On average, people only use insect repellent and sunscreen three days a week.

“Alongside sunscreen, incorporating insect repellent into your daily routine during the summer months could mean the difference between enjoying summer memories at the beach or lake or staying at home,” says Dr. Michelle Henry, Board Dermatologist and OFF! partners, added. “Prevention is the best protection against mosquitoes. That’s why it’s important to apply bug repellent as part of your daily routine right after sunscreen and before going outside – by the time insect repellent is applied after you get a bite, it may already be too late.”