Why Do Mosquitoes Like My Blood?
WouterSeveral factors affect mosquitoes’ attraction to humans. They aren’t particularly good fliers, so they need to rely on heat, heat-trapping chemicals, and other attractants to find their targets.
They’re also able to detect carbon dioxide, a primary means of identifying potential bite targets. They use their maxillary palps to do this, which they can detect from about 164 feet away.
Besides their innate ability to detect carbon dioxide, mosquitoes also have a preference for certain types of blood. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, for instance, are attracted to Type O blood. They land on people of this blood type twice as often as people with Type A blood.
Another possible attractant is body odor. Mosquitoes are attracted to body odors because bacteria in our skin produce chemicals that attract them. Some people produce more of these chemicals, while others produce fewer.
Another possible attractant is body heat. Pregnant women produce a lot of heat, which increases their metabolic rate. They also exhale more carbon dioxide, making them more attractive to mosquitoes.
Pregnant women also produce double the amount of biochemical signals through their skin as compared to non-pregnant people. This may make them more attractive to mosquitoes.
Lastly, mosquitoes may be attracted to certain types of clothing. They prefer darker-colored fabrics. They also hone in on plants with high water content. They’re also attracted to mint, lemongrass, and water lettuce.
Whether mosquitoes are attracted to your blood type or not, it’s important to wash your hands frequently to avoid becoming a mosquito magnet.
