Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBlood TypeCarbon DioxideBody HeatSweatSkin BacteriaPregnancyAlcoholDietClothing ColorPreventing Bites
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Blood Type
Carbon Dioxide
Body Heat
Sweat
Skin Bacteria
Pregnancy
Alcohol
Diet
Clothing Color
Preventing Bites
If it seems like mosquitoes bite you more than other people, they very well might. Studies show that around 20% of people are particularly irresistible to these pests.
Mosquitoes may bite you more for various reasons, including your blood type, your clothes, your breathing, or even the bacteria living on your skin.
John Tann / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Mosquitoes Prefer Certain Blood Types
Interestingly, mosquitoes find someblood typesmore desirable than others. Research has found that some mosquito species have a preference for:
In addition, around 80% of people produce a secretion that signals what blood type they are. Mosquitoes may bite these people more than others, regardless of blood type.
Mosquito bites come solely from females, who rely on the protein in human blood for egg production. Male mosquitoes survive on nectar for nourishment.
Carbon Dioxide Attracts Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide from a significant distance. The more you exhale, the more attractive you become.
Larger people exhale more, so they’re more likely to receive bug bites.
Since you exhale carbon dioxide through your nose and mouth, mosquitoes are especially attracted to your head.
Mosquitoes Seek Body Heat
Female mosquitoes are also attracted to heat and may choose to fly toward people even when there are other sources of heat available.
As such, you may notice that you get bites if you exercise outside, venture out on hot days, or just tend to “run hot.”
Mosquitoes Like Sweat
Mosquitoes can sniff out humansweat, and they’re attracted tolactic acid, ammonia, and other compounds emitted in it.
This means that you may be more apt to receive a mosquito bite if you’re prone to sweating or spend a lot of time outdoors on hot days.
Is It How I Smell?Certain body odors do seem to attract mosquitos. Research shows that odors associated with both sweat and lactic acid, which you produce when you exercise, can draw these blood-sucking bugs.
Is It How I Smell?
Certain body odors do seem to attract mosquitos. Research shows that odors associated with both sweat and lactic acid, which you produce when you exercise, can draw these blood-sucking bugs.
Mosquitoes Prefer Certain Skin Bacteria
Your skin is naturally teeming with microscopic life. These bacteria create a distinct fragrance when mixed with sweat.
Some research has shown that the types and amount of bacteria on a person’s skin can play a role in how many mosquito bites they get.
In one study, researchers divided participants into those who were highly attractive to mosquitoes and those who were not. The first group had a larger community of microbes, but it was less diverse than those who were not as attractive to mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes may be especially drawn to ankles and feet because these areas are especially ripe for bacterial growth.
Mosquitoes also prefer people with significantly more carboxylic acids on their skin. One study found that these fatty acids were highly concentrated on the skin of those who were most attractive to mosquitoes.
Pregnant People Are Mosquito Magnets
It turns out that pregnancy attracts some mosquito species. There hasn’t been a lot of research on this, but a study in Africa in 2000 found that twice as many mosquitoes gravitated towards pregnant people compared to non-pregnant people.
Researchers believe this may happen for a couple of reasons, including:
Beer Drinkers Get More Bug Bites
Who knew mosquitoes had a taste for beer? In one study, researchers found that significantly more mosquitoes flew toward study participants who drank a liter of beer than those who had a liter of water.
However, the reason for this increase remains unclear. Neither carbon dioxide exhalation nor skin temperature showed any correlation with alcohol consumption and mosquito landings.
Even so, the findings suggest that you may want to take precautions against mosquitoes when drinking alcohol.
Mosquitoes May Be Drawn to Your Diet
Folk wisdom says what you eat may make you a tastier meal for mosquitoes. In particular, eating sweet, salty, spicy, or potassium-rich foods is believed to attract more mosquitoes.
While the research is limited, University of Wisconsin scientists identified one food that fits this phenomenon: bananas. A study published in the journalInsectsfound eating a banana increases the frequency of contact with mosquitoes and bug bites.
Darker Clothes Are Easier for Them to Spot
Mosquitoes use their eyes to target victims. Research shows that mosquitoes gravitate more toward green and black surfaces than toward white or grey surfaces, suggesting that it’s easier for them to see these colors.
Mosquitoes can see humans from a distance of about 16 to 49 feet (5 to 15 meters), which makes finding you pretty easy, too.
If you tend to get bug bites, it may be because mosquitoes have an easy time seeing you. Opt for softer colors like pastels, beige, or even white instead.
Ways to Get Fewer Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites are more than just annoying. Mosquitoes are vectors, which are living organisms that can transmit diseases such asZika virus.
Cover Up Your Skin
In addition to choosing lighter colored clothing so you don’t attract mosquitos' attention, wear clothes that cover as much skin as possible. This is especially important if you’re gardening, hiking, or in areas that are likely to be home to large numbers of insects.
While mosquitos can bite you through your clothing, you will decrease the risk if you cover up your arms and legs and make it harder for the bugs to access your skin and thus your blood.
Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Yard
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. To lower the mosquito population in your yard:
How you landscape your yard helps, too. Keep your lawn clipped short, andplant vegetation that repels insects, such as:
Avoid Peak Biting Times
Mosquitos are most active at dusk and dawn. Of course, they can be out any time of the day, but just before sundown and just around sunrise, you’ll encounter more than the usual number of these bloodthirsty bugs. Keep away from areas that are likely to host mosquitos during these times.
Use Insect Repellents
Insect repellants can be an effective way toprevent mosquito bites.
To ensure a product is safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends checking the label for approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The CDC also suggests looking for products that contain the following ingredients:
If you want to avoid these chemicals, a number ofessential oilscan also be used to keep mosquitoes at bay. Oil of lemon eucalyptus has been found to be the most effective natural mosquito repellent.Studies have also shown that citronella can provide a bit of protection.
You may also hear about the following natural mosquito repellants. You can try them but know that research on the effectiveness of the following oils is limited:
Summary
Mosquitoes do, indeed, find some people more attractive than others. Dark clothing, blood type, sweat, carbon dioxide, pregnancy, skin bacteria, and beer consumption are some things researchers have found tend to draw mosquitoes to someone.
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