How Come Mosquitoes Never Bite Me?
WouterDepending on the species, mosquitoes can choose a host based on olfactory cues. These cues include carbon dioxide, body temperature and the presence of certain chemicals on your skin.
Almost all vertebrates emit carbon dioxide. Larger and stronger individuals exhale more carbon dioxide. This increases their metabolic rate and leads them to warm their body. This is why mosquitoes prefer to bite people with warm bodies.
In addition to carbon dioxide, other chemicals also attract mosquitoes. Lactic acid, acetone and ammonia are odorous chemicals that mosquitoes find attractive. Some chemicals also repel other mosquito species.
Genetics also play a role in mosquitoes’ preference for a specific target. Some species are attracted to pregnant women. In 2000, a study in Africa found that pregnant women are twice as attractive to mosquitoes as non-pregnant people.
In addition, a person’s blood type determines their metabolic rate. People with the blood type A are considered to be less attractive to mosquitoes. Some species, like the Aedes albopictus, are more attracted to people with the blood type O.
Other factors in mosquito bites include skin odor and the presence of certain bacteria on the skin. These bacteria are responsible for the production of a number of chemicals. They also metabolize sweat components. These chemicals can then be released into odorous byproducts.
Genetics also determine how much sweat and carbon dioxide are produced. Some people produce more chemicals on their skin than others. They can also moderate their metabolic rate by exercising and eating healthy.
