There’s nothing more annoying than trying to sleep at night and hearing mosquitoes buzzing around your head like a tiny orchestra tuning up.
Why do they do this?
The sound comes from the rapid beating of their wings. Female mosquitoes, in particular, are the culprits, as they beat their wings up to 500 times per second, producing a frequency of 450 to 500 hertz. This pitch coincidentally matches the musical note A, which is the standard tuning note for orchestras.
Mosquitoes are drawn to our heads because they follow the scent of carbon dioxide, which we emit the most from this area. Female mosquitoes are on the hunt for a blood meal to generate eggs and use the carbon dioxide trail to find a host. They fly back and forth, following the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide until they locate its source.
Interestingly, while mosquitoes buzz near our ears, they are more likely to target our feet. The microorganisms on our feet release odors that are highly attractive to mosquitoes, making them a preferred target area.
While the buzzing can drive us crazy, it’s also a love song for male mosquitoes. They are drawn to the high-pitched drone of female wingbeats as they search for mating partners.
So, while the buzzing in your ears might be frustrating, it’s just part of the mosquito’s nightly routine-a quest for food and love.
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Fathia Gbadamosi