My friend Tiffany and I were talking one day and we were really wondering why it seems mosquitoes bite certain people and not others. We both have a couple family members that seem like living targets for them. I decided to research the why in the mosquito hunting methods.
I found these resources by Healthline and Smithsonian that lay out some things that attract mosquitoes and why.
#1: They are attracted to high levels of carbon dioxide like humans put out after a workout or exercise.
#2: They are attracted to certain types of body odor. Another reason to convince your preteen to shower, right?!
#3: They are attracted to the colors black, dark blue or red. If you are wearing these colors, you look much more tasty to a mosquito.
#4: They are attracted to heat and water vapor like sweat when we are active or outside on a hot day.
#5: They learn smells and taste and put the two together and will repeat visit the hosts they had gotten a tasty meal from.
#6: They like how you taste after having beer. They need their moment to let loose too!
#7: They are attracted to a pregnant person due to higher carbon dioxide and generally body temperatures too.
#8: They are attracted to certain blood types. The most preferred is type 0, second preference is B and last preference is A.
#9: They are attracted to the high amounts of bacteria that naturally live on human skin.
#10: Some have more of a genetic disposition to be attractive to mosquitoes…blame your parents!
Are you one that is living mosquito bait? Do you have a loved one who is? Did you know these 10 things that attract these little vampires?
