EXPERT SHOWS BIGGEST MYTH ABOUT WHY MOSQUITO BITES SOME PEOPLE MORE THAN OTHERS

With summer just around the corner, many Australians are gearing up to confront one the season's few annoyances - mosquitoes.

And with that first bite at the summer BBQ, so too will begin the onslaught of theories on the types of people mozzies target, how to avoid getting bitten in the first place, and what keeps them away.

Dr Cameron Webb from NSW Health Pathology, revealed on Sunrise some of the biggest myths around mosquito bites - and also shared his top tips for keeping them away.

But Dr Webb challenged some of the biggest myths around mosquitoes.

He revealed that bananas, Vegemite and beer have little effect on the likelihood of getting bitten, or indeed how often you get bitten.

Dr Webb revealed there was even research that suggests drinking beer makes you more attractive to the insects.

However, the theory that some people get bitten more than others is definitely true - and there's little that can be done about it.

'It's something in your body and your genetics if you're one of those people,' he said. 

'But you can help yourself by using insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts,' he said. 

Dr Webb said the best ways to avoid being 'eaten alive' was to wear repellent, wear bright clothes, avoid dusk and dawn and switch on the fan.

'Make sure your backyard isn't a home for mosquitoes by tipping out any water from dog bowls etc,' he said.

He also said you should wear a repellent that contains DEET.

'When (the mosquito) is looking for someone to bite she can sense the carbon dioxide we breathe out and particularly the smell of our skin,' he said.   

What are the myths about mosquitoes?

TRUE 

Sweat works up mozzies' appetites

Anything that raises your body temperature will increase the likely hood of getting bitten

Drinking alcohol can get you bitten  

Drinking alcohol raises your skin's temperature and may result in  forgetting to reapply repellent

Mosquitoes love pregnant women 

Being pregnant increases the risk of getting bitten due to having a raised body temperature   

 FALSE

*Vitamin B repels mosquitoes

 *It's not proven Vitamin B has any effect on being bitten or the severity of the bites

*Bananas will protect you from a bite 

There's nothing you can eat or drink that results in getting bitten less 

Mosquitoes can give you HIV 

Mosquitoes can spread Dengue fever and Zika virus, but not HIV     

Speaking on the program, Dr Webb also revealed that famed home remedies including oat meal, onion juice or baking soda may have some effect but can't be a guarantee for complete relief.

Instead Dr Webb recommends an ice pack to reduce the itch that often comes with the bites. 

'Any soothing cream will reduce the itch but also for young children, make sure you put on some antiseptic cream because you don't want them scratching it and getting a secondary infection,' he said.