Why Don’t Mosquitoes Bite Me?

Getting mosquito bites can be very unpleasant. They can cause swelling, itchiness, and can even spread infections. However, there are ways to make yourself less attractive to these pests.

One way is to wear light colors. These may be easier to spot for mosquitoes. You can also use screens over windows and doors. If you work outdoors, avoid peak feeding times.

Among other things, mosquitoes prefer to bite people with certain blood types. In fact, 85% of people have a chemical signal that says they are part of a certain blood group.

Another factor is diet. A recent study suggests that wearing darker colors may make mosquitoes more attracted to you. Some chemicals smell more attractive to mosquitoes, such as ammonia. Other chemicals that are known to attract mosquitoes include acetone and lactic acid.

These chemicals are released during the cellular respiration process. Some humans release more of them than others. Interestingly, people who are pregnant release more CO2 than non-pregnant adults.

Other factors that can influence how appealing a person is to mosquitoes include how large they are. Mosquitoes like larger people, because they give off more carbon dioxide when they breathe.

Scientists are beginning to understand why mosquitoes bite some people, while not biting others. They have found that underlying genetic factors account for 85 percent of the variability in how attractive a human is to mosquitoes.

These findings are exciting news. You can read more about them in CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter.

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