Bitting bugs and the colour blue

Submitted: Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 15:40
ThreadID: 41198 Views:2820 Replies:8 FollowUps:6
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A couple of years ago after hearing that the colour blue attracts March/Marsh? Flies on Fraser Is I began to wonder if there was any truth to it and if so were any other bugs attracted to blue.

The shirts I wear at work are either blue or green, the only time I’ve been bothered by March flies since I’ve been aware of the possibility has been when I’ve been wearing blue.

I went to look at a CT for sale before lunch on sunny day set up on short grass and when we got near the blue canvas we were attacked by mossies and inside was worse. The colour was the only reason I didn’t buy that one.

I’ve done a few Google searches and it seems to confirm my suspicions. In one article regarding tree stand hunting the author believes that many blood sucking bugs including ticks are attracted to blue.

This is an extract from this link . Site Link

Perich says mosquitoes can find you in several ways. Some of the cues are visual. Mosquitoes, like other insects, see in the blue, ultraviolet spectrum. So they're attracted to blue lights and clothing, but not to reds and yellows. That's why bug zappers have blue lights and why some people use yellow lights on porches.
Because they're often out at night when they can't see well, mosquitoes also are attracted by heat and aromas. This explains why some people are more attractive to the insects. They may "smell better" or have a slightly higher body temperature.
Finally mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide — the stuff that comes out of your mouth when you breathe. "You can breathe," Perich jokes. "Just don't exhale.

These days I try to avoid wearing or using anything blue while I’m camping.

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