We request your wisdom to investigate a story (fact or fiction) regarding exploding mosquitoes. Many years ago I was told that when a mosquito is engaged in dinner one should flex or tighten the muscle in the general vicinity. This would trap the hapless female, along with her proboscis, causing her to overfill and explode. Recently I read an article on the same subject, with the only exception being one should pull taut the human skin around the offending wench, which would also trap her, causing her the same fate as fable number one. Any insight from the Straight Dope would be appreciated.
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Some might say we’re dwelling excessively on the subject of EFOs (exploding flying objects), but I feel this question has been shamefully neglected in the popular press. First thing we did was review the scientific literature. This consisted of going down to the drugstore and getting a copy of the August 1997 Discover magazine, which contains the article you undoubtedly saw, headlined “Why Mosquitoes Suck.” Sounds like our kind of journalism. Unfortunately most of the article is about how mosquitoes may be attracted to your body by the same odor found in Limburger cheese, whereas exploding mosquitoes, a topic that truly elevates the human spirit, gets kissed off in 3.5 paragraphs–which, moreover, do not resolve the question! I quote:
“Maybe this method of entrapment works. Maybe it works only for small boys. Maybe it’s just a stupid pest trick or one of those urban legends that shouldn’t be put to the test,” etc.
(I didn’t ask.) This was followed by a period of alarums and excursions during which the following facts emerged:
OK, it can be done. The unanswered question is why you would do it. Looking at the big picture, you wouldn’t call this an efficient method of mosquito abatement, and the entertainment value of watching a mosquito leak has got to be down there with watching your sunburn peel. But if it helps you pass the time on a dull summer evening, have at it.
