Does it seem that mosquitoes can pick you out of a crowd to torment you? What is it about you that attracts more mosquitoes? The reason that you might suffer from mosquito bites more frequently than those around you might be surprising. Read on to learn more about the mystery behind the mosquito’s selective ways.
How do mosquitoes find their prey?
Mosquitoes find their next meal by observing movement, detecting body heat, and sensing chemical emissions like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol that is produced in our breath and sweat.
Mosquitoes have receptors on their antennae that can detect the CO2 from up to 100 feet away. Since we expel carbon dioxide through our nose and mouth, the pesky pests zone in and treat us to the buzzing symphony around our ears.
Mosquitoes also use heat sensors around their mouths to detect the warmth of your body – actually, the blood inside it – then land on you to locate the best place to withdraw their meal.
What type of person is more susceptible to a mosquito bite?
Those who have more body mass attract more mosquitoes due to their higher output of CO2 and lactic acid.
Highly active or fidgety people also produce more CO2 and lactic acid, making them more attractive to mosquitoes. One study showed that movement increased mosquito bites by up to 50%.
Sweat also helps mosquitoes choose their victims. Our skin produces more than 340 chemical odors, and some of them smell like dinner to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are quite fond of octenol, a chemical released in sweat, as well as cholesterol, folic acid, certain bacteria, skin lotions, and perfume.
What else attracts mosquitoes?
These strange things have also proven to draw in the pesky mosquito:
- Smelly feet are attractive to certain species of mosquitoes – as is Limburger Cheese.
- More bad news ‑ Mosquitoes seem to have a preference for beer drinkers. However, no word on whether they prefer the taste of domestic or imported beer.
- Dark clothing has been shown to attract some species of mosquitoes more than lighter colored clothing as dark clothing holds more heat.
Does blood type influence mosquito bites?
One Japanese study has determined that mosquitoes are also attracted to one blood type over all others. People with Type O blood were found to be twice as attractive to mosquitoes than those with Type A blood. Even more interesting is that mosquitoes can taste (via skin secretions) what blood type someone has before they suck any blood, which is what enables them to find their favored blood type.
So, what can you do to reduce the chance of being a mosquito’s next meal?
- Avoid working in your yard or being outside at dawn and dusk, which are the prime times that mosquitoes are most likely to be out hunting their blood meal.
- Keep moving. Mosquitoes can only fly 1.5MPH. Moving at a brisk pace will help you stay a step ahead of the little beasts.
- If you are trying to enjoy an evening on your deck or patio, employ a box or circulating fan to provide a stiff breeze to keep the mosquitoes from joining the party.
- If you find you are outside during mosquitoes prime hunting time, use an appropriate insect repellent. Read our article here about the best performing mosquito repellents to keep you free of those itchy bites.
- Implement an integrated mosquito management program to reduce the mosquito population around your home. Check out our step-by-step guide to controlling mosquitoes in and around your home.
- Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants. Your clothing should also be loose fitting so if mosquitoes do land on you they can’t reach your skin.
- For additional protection, you could also pre-treat your clothing with a product called Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent for Clothing. It uses an ingredient called permethrin that acts as a repellent for mosquitoes as well as ticks and chiggers.
- Wash those stinky feet! After working up a sweat while exercising or doing yard work, cool down and wipe off excess sweat quickly. As we mentioned above, the smell of carbon dioxide and lactic acid draws in the mosquitoes quickly.
- Wear lighter colored clothing. White or khaki colored outfits are less likely to attract mosquitoes.
Following the tips above will help keep you safe and itch-free this season. If you do happen to be bit by a mosquito, read our tips on how to ease the itch here.