Study: Mosquitoes love beer drinkers

Mosquitoes, like Braves fans, love beer, according to a new study from University of Florida scientists.

But that doesn’t mean you have to confront nature sober.

Dad went outside to mow the yard and was never seen again.

As summer begins, here’s a few tips to help keep you from becoming a mosquito magnet:

* Stay indoors at all times. If this is not possible, continue reading.

* Mosquitoes are not color blind, and seem to like dark colors. Wear white clothing instead of black, navy blue or red. Wear long sleeves and pants to expose less skin.

* Mosquitoes home in on carbon dioxide, which living creatures exhale. Certain people emit more carbon dioxide than others, including those who are overweight, pregnant or have a high metabolic rate.

* Higher body temperatures attract the airborne vampires, which may explain why those who drink alcohol get bitten more often. Try to stay cool.

* Some species of bugs like to bite your feet because of stinky bacteria there. Consider bathing, but avoid strongly-scented soaps, they can attract mosquitoes too.

* Don’t bother eating bananas or taking vitamin B-12 pills. That preventative is just an old wives tale, researchers say.

If none of that works, consider an overnight soaking in DEET, the U.S. military’s second finest invention after the Internet.