Dubstep vs Dengue: Skrillex Track Emerges as Unlikely Mosquito Repellent

The incessant buzz of mosquitoes might soon meet its match in an unexpected foe: Skrillex’s chaotic dubstep anthem. A viral 2019 study published in Acta Tropica reveals that the artist’s track “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” drastically reduces mosquito feeding and mating behaviors. Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—primary carriers of dengue, Zika, and yellow fever—exposed to the song attacked hosts 3.4x slower and showed a 74% drop in blood feeding compared to silent environments. This bizarre intersection of electronic music and entomology offers a potential eco-friendly alternative to chemical repellents.

How Does Music Disrupt Mosquito Behavior?

The study exposed mosquitoes to 10-minute loops of Skrillex’s bass-heavy track. Results were striking: only 15% of music-exposed mosquitoes fed on human hosts versus 59% in control groups. Mating rates also plummeted. Scientists attribute this to the song’s “excessive loudness, escalating pitch, and extreme high/low frequencies,” which scramble mosquitoes’ acoustic signals. As noted in Acta Tropica, insects rely on low-frequency vibrations for mating cues. The track’s chaotic soundscape essentially “jams” their communication—delaying attacks and reducing feeding. Smithsonian Magazine highlighted these findings as a “novel, environmentally friendly alternative” to pesticides.

Could Dubstep Revolutionize Pest Control?

While no one suggests swapping DEET for dubstep playlists yet, the implications are significant. Traditional repellents face challenges like insect resistance and environmental toxicity. Music-based deterrents could offer scalable solutions, especially in high-risk areas. As lead researchers noted, this discovery opens “new avenues for music-based personal protective measures against Aedes-borne diseases.” The phenomenon isn’t isolated: a 2018 study in Ecology and Evolution found AC/DC’s music disrupted predatory beetles’ feeding patterns. However, Skrillex’s unique mix of jarring frequencies proved exceptionally disruptive to mosquitoes.

The takeaway? While your next picnic isn’t soundtrack-safe yet, this viral study proves innovation can come from anywhere—even a bass drop. As researchers explore sonic pest control, remember: sometimes the wildest solutions hold the sharpest sting against nature’s tiniest terrors.

Must Know

Q: Does Skrillex’s music kill mosquitoes?
A: No. The study found it reduces feeding and mating but doesn’t eliminate mosquitoes. It delays host attacks and lowers bite frequency by disrupting their communication.

Q: Can I use music instead of mosquito repellent?
A: Not yet. While promising, music-based repellents aren’t field-tested for personal use. Experts recommend sticking to EPA-approved repellents until further research.

Q: Why was Skrillex’s song chosen for the study?
A: Its intense bass (150-500 Hz), unpredictable drops, and extreme frequency range mirror noises that confuse insects. As Acta Tropica noted, it “overlaps with mosquitoes’ auditory sensitivities.”

Q: Do other music genres repel insects?
A: Possibly. A 2018 study showed AC/DC disrupted beetle behavior, but Skrillex’s high-intensity dubstep had uniquely strong effects on mosquitoes due to its sonic range.

Q: Could this help combat mosquito-borne diseases?
A: Potentially. Reducing bites and breeding in Aedes aegypti—which transmit dengue and Zika—could lower infection rates if scalable sonic deterrents are developed.

Q: How loud was the music in the study?
A: Researchers used 70-80 decibels (comparable to a vacuum cleaner). Volume and vibration intensity were key factors in disrupting mosquito behavior.