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Flexing your muscles was a weird myth I hadn't heard before, but it's not hard to trap a mosquito on your skin by stretching the skin with two fingers. You have

Flexing your muscles was a weird myth I hadn't heard before, but it's not hard to trap a mosquito on your skin by stretching the skin with two fingers. You have to find the right grip, stretch the skin quite hard and not let go. It takes some time, you will get a mosquito bite from it, but it doesn't end well for the mosquito which you may or may not find satisfaction in. It might help being young and a bit bored.

DwnVoteHoneyPot 4y ago
Weird thing is, it’s not a myth. Maybe flexing muscles is the same mechanism you describe where it’s stretching the skin. I think the PhD author hasn’t spent enough time in the gym to have muscles large enough to adequately stretch skin :)
- fatfingerd 4y ago
  As kids we would tell each other about the flex trick, it worked fine on tiger mosquitoes for example. The reason we didn't continue is that it would cause a larger more aggravating welt.
  - sonofhans 4y ago
    Yes, I’d expect this trick to leave some of the mosquito proboscis in the wound. It sounds like an awful idea.
- xorcist 4y ago
  Fascinating. Never heard about it before. Do you have to wait for one to settle at exactly the right spot, or is it more forgiving? Which muscles is the easiest?
  - DwnVoteHoneyPot 4y ago
    Biceps for best viewing.
- kevviiinn 4y ago
  My PI spent plenty of time in the gym during his PhD working up to a 700lbs squat. Not sure why you think students don't have time to lift
  - notyourwork 4y ago
    Op was poking at a stereotype, relax and try not to take things so personally.
  - jl2718 4y ago
    700 is monstrous. I only know of one computer scientist to hit that level. Famous in several worlds. You must be in graphics.
    - kevviiinn 4y ago
      Nope, not in computer science
51Cards 4y ago
Can confirm the young and bored portion. We used to do this when camping as a kid. Also if you're careful you can pinch the skin and hold them in place as well.

DwnVoteHoneyPot 4y ago

Weird thing is, it’s not a myth. Maybe flexing muscles is the same mechanism you describe where it’s stretching the skin. I think the PhD author hasn’t spent enough time in the gym to have muscles large enough to adequately stretch skin :)

fatfingerd 4y ago
As kids we would tell each other about the flex trick, it worked fine on tiger mosquitoes for example. The reason we didn't continue is that it would cause a larger more aggravating welt.
- sonofhans 4y ago
  Yes, I’d expect this trick to leave some of the mosquito proboscis in the wound. It sounds like an awful idea.
xorcist 4y ago
Fascinating. Never heard about it before. Do you have to wait for one to settle at exactly the right spot, or is it more forgiving? Which muscles is the easiest?
- DwnVoteHoneyPot 4y ago
  Biceps for best viewing.
kevviiinn 4y ago
My PI spent plenty of time in the gym during his PhD working up to a 700lbs squat. Not sure why you think students don't have time to lift
- notyourwork 4y ago
  Op was poking at a stereotype, relax and try not to take things so personally.
- jl2718 4y ago
  700 is monstrous. I only know of one computer scientist to hit that level. Famous in several worlds. You must be in graphics.
  - kevviiinn 4y ago
    Nope, not in computer science

51Cards 4y ago

Can confirm the young and bored portion. We used to do this when camping as a kid. Also if you're careful you can pinch the skin and hold them in place as well.