A mosquito bites this often per night

Before my lament begins: I know there must be some purpose, but as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't outweigh how annoying these creatures are. Seriously, they are the animal that causes the most deaths per year, they are just incredibly irritating and their bites itch like crazy. Yes, I'm talking about the mosquito. The anger that rises in me when I'm lying in bed and that buzzing suddenly starts... Terrible. And you immediately know: either I have to get out of bed and catch that thing (and then suddenly you can't find it anywhere), or you just accept it and then tomorrow it's scratching.

Because then I really have the feeling that you'll be covered the next day. At least four mosquito bites, that kind of situation. But is that really the case? Does a mosquito really use your blood for a full five-star dinner (because let's be honest: we're all a tasty snack) and does it come back for multiple courses? Well... That's not really the case.

A mosquito usually only needs to prick once. Except if our big friend is disturbed during its meal. Maybe that's the only thing I have in common with the mosquito: I also get grumpy from that. And if a mosquito is disturbed while pricking, it will come back for a second time. If it is also disturbed? Yes, it will come a third time. Until its belly is full. Selfish beasts.

But what I also didn't know, is that those annoying buzzers are actually females. Male mosquitoes fly silently. Additionally, the females don't prick because they are hungry, but because they want to reproduce: our blood contains proteins that are necessary for their own eggs. And that reproduction happens at quite a brisk pace: they can produce offspring every three days.

Then, last but very certainly not least: can you avoid a mosquito bite? A little. Athletes, for example, get bitten more often (just like my sports class got canceled today, you understand), but men are also more often the victims. Additionally, you should avoid dark clothing: they find that more attractive. Because — as I just learned — they can also prick through thin fabric. The. CREATURES.

Source: Quest