Many wonder why mosquitoes bite them more than others.
Mosquitoes are small midge-like flies that constitutes the family culicidae whose tube-like mouthparts pierce the hosts’ skin to consume blood.
Mosquito bites come solely from females, who rely on the protein in human blood for egg production. Male mosquitoes survive on nectar for nourishment.
This article discusses why mosquitoes bite some people more than others. It explains what attracts mosquitoes to you and how to get mosquitoes to leave you alone.
Several factors can make certain people more attractive to mosquitoes. These factors include the following.
What you wear: Mosquitoes use their eyes to target victims so the colors of your clothes can make you more attractive to them. 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. If you tend to get more mosquito bites, it may be because mosquitoes see you easily.
Mosquitoes Prefer Certain Blood Types
Interestingly, mosquitoes find some blood types more desirable than others.
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 mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes Like Sweat
Mosquitoes can sniff out human sweat, and they’re attracted to lactic acid, ammonia, and other compounds emitted in it.6
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.
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.
Mosquitoes may be especially drawn to ankles and feet because these areas are especially ripe for bacterial growth.
Pregnant People Are Mosquito Magnets
It turns out that pregnancy attracts some mosquito species. Researchers believe this may happen for a couple of reasons including;
Carbon dioxide: People in late pregnancy exhaled a 21% greater volume of breath than non-pregnant people.
Heat: The abdomens of pregnant people were about one degree warmer than their non-pregnant peers.
People who consume Beer get more mosquito bites
According to research mosquitoes have taste for beer so they bite people who drink beer more than those who do not drink beer.
However, the reason for this increase remains unclear. Neither carbon dioxide exhalation nor skin temperature showed any correlation between 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.
Ways to Get Fewer Mosquito Bites
Mosquito bites can be very annoying. Mosquitoes are vectors, which are living organisms that can transmit diseases such as Zika virus.
Use every proper means to minimize the amount of mosquito bites you get by managing the amount of these insects in your surroundings and protecting yourself when outdoors.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water so always do the following.
Remove items that collect rainwater that you don’t need, like old tires.
Empty items that catch rainwater after a storm.
Change the water in fountains and bird baths at least once a week.
Clean the gutters to keep water flowing.
Use Insect Repellents
Insect repellants can be an effective way to prevent mosquito bites.
In conclusion, mosquitoes 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.
You may be able to prevent mosquito bites by heading indoors when you’re sweaty, taking steps to keep mosquitoes out of your yard, and using insect repellent. Verywellhealth
