Mosquitoes like smelly socks. Or more specifically, they are attracted to chemicals that people produce from their legs and feet. Researchers in Tanzania are testing mosquito traps that use smelly socks to lure mosquitoes into traps, where they are poisoned. Why is it so important to trap mosquitoes in Tanzania? Many mosquitoes in Africa carry the parasite that causes malaria.

Read more about smelly socks and mosquitoes on The Washington Post’s website.

Learn more about malaria on National Geographic Kids.

Photograph by Mimi Klein, My Shot