Why Do Mosquitoes Like Me So Much?

Whether you’re out in the backyard enjoying a summer breeze, or strolling along the beach with your girlfriends, you probably wonder why mosquitoes like you so much. Mosquitoes have sophisticated sense receptors that detect human scent, and they are drawn to a variety of different factors. But scientists aren’t sure exactly why they like certain people more than others. But new research is offering some intriguing theories that may help explain the magnetism of mosquitoes.

One of the biggest reasons that mosquitoes find you attractive is carbon dioxide. You exhale more carbon dioxide when you have a higher metabolic rate. You can moderate your own metabolic rate through diet and exercise.

Another big attractant for mosquitoes is body odor. Your odor is detected by chemical neuroreceptors on your skin. The components of your sweat are picked up by the neuroreceptors, which then release them into odorous byproducts. Those byproducts include ethanol, which attracts mosquitoes.

Other factors that attract mosquitoes are your blood type and temperature. In general, people with certain blood types are more attracted to mosquitoes than others.

You can make yourself more identifiable to mosquitoes by wearing darker clothing. Mosquitoes are more likely to bite when they’re hot, so if you’re outdoors, try to wear darker clothing.

There are also some chemical compounds in your skin that mosquitoes find attractive. Your sebum contains two saturated fatty aldehydes, which vary in composition by individual. These are produced by bacteria on your skin.

Continue reading:

Can You Use Clotrimazole on Mosquito Bites? Can You Use Sudocrem For Mosquito Bites? Can We Use a Mosquito Coil in an Air Conditioned Room? Can You Take Mosquito on a Plane? Can You Eat Mosquito Fern? Why Are Mosquito Bites Always Raise? Do I Need Mosquito Repellent in Jamaica? Do I Need Mosquito Repellent in Hawaii?