The biologist warned about the habituation of mosquitoes to repellents

Mosquitoes can gradually react worse to repellents, because, like other insects, they are able to adapt to chemicals. Sergey Podkovalnikov, a biology and chemistry teacher and head of the Science is Closer than It Seems project, told Izvestia about this on May 29.

"Mosquitoes evolve like many other animals, including insects. And insects, as you know, and fleas, and cockroaches, and many other arthropods, actively get used to the chemicals that we are trying to influence them," said Podkovalnikov.

As the expert noted, mosquito behavior patterns can change both during evolution and under the influence of individual experience. Some individuals are able to bind a repellent-treated mammal to a food source. In separate experiments, it has been shown that mosquitoes can associate the smell of a repellent with getting blood and stop avoiding it. However, this does not mean that the tool becomes a bait for them in the classical sense.

The expert stressed that repellents do not attract mosquitoes so much as they can have a worse effect on individuals over time. According to him, insects are influenced by evolutionary factors, so resistance to protective substances can be formed gradually.

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It is still difficult to assess whether such an adaptation makes mosquitoes more dangerous in terms of bites and disease transmission. According to Podkovalnikov, an unambiguous answer can only be obtained in the long term. However, there is already evidence that mosquitoes, which carry dangerous diseases, may show increased resistance to repellents. We are talking about species that spread malaria and various fevers. If the sensitivity of such insects to protective agents decreases, this can potentially increase the risk of bites and transmission of infections.

The biologist recommended an integrated approach to protect against mosquitoes. Repellents are still important, but you should not rely entirely on them. It is better to combine them with barrier measures: mosquito nets, closed clothing and special mosquito shelters. This approach is especially important in countries where diptera carry dangerous diseases.

Separately, Podkovalnikov drew attention to the safety of mosquito repellents for humans and pets. Some spirals and fumigators emit not only insecticides, but also gorenje products, including carbon monoxide and other harmful substances.

"In enclosed spaces, this can pose a serious danger to both humans and pets. Cats are particularly sensitive to such compounds in this regard, so using such products without ventilation or in the presence of pets can lead to severe poisoning. It is dangerous to use them in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces where pets and people are located," the expert said.

In the spring and summer of 2026, an abnormal increase in mosquito activity was recorded in several regions of Russia. Experts warn that this increases the risk of bites, allergic reactions and the spread of infections, including West Nile fever and dirofilariasis.