People who exert themselves physically while outdoors (exhaling heavier and more frequently) and those with a higher resting metabolic rate (mainly pregnant women and people who are overweight) produce more CO2 – and therefore attract more mosquitoes.
A person who emit more sweat or who emit more carbon dioxide are more attractive and are bitten more often. Secondly, the thickness of skin also attracts them. People with thin skin are more attractive than the opposite. So it does not depend on whether you are a vegan or not.
People with higher levels of compounds called carboxylic acids on their skin were more attractive to mosquitoes, and this trait remained stable over years. Understanding which skin odors attract mosquitoes could lead to the development of better ways to prevent bites and mosquito-borne diseases.
Blood Types Mosquitoes Love Most
Type B: Type B placed second in popularity. Type A: Type A Blood Type apparently tastes the worst to mosquitoes. The study found that those with Blood Type A are 50% less likely to receive a mosquito bite than those with Type O.
Every person has a unique scent profile made up of different chemical compounds, and the researchers found that mosquitoes were most drawn to people whose skin produces high levels of carboxylic acids.''
Basically, to avoid being a mosquito-target you should stay as scent-free as possible, wear light clothes, avoid bogs and use an effective repellent (such as those containing DEET or icaridin).
Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.
Other factors such as blood type and breathing patterns also seem to play a role. Type O blood appears to attract the pests. So does breathing heavily — such as after a workout — which exudes more carbon dioxide around you, which attracts mosquitoes. A few simple strategies may discourage mosquitoes.
One of the world's rarest blood types is Rh-null. Fewer than 50 people in the world have this blood type. It's so rare that it's sometimes called “golden blood.”
A study in Nature found that a compound in deodorants (isopropyl tetradecanoate) repelled mosquitoes by preventing them from landing on the surface coated in deodorant. In fact, there was a 56% decrease in the number of mosquito landings.
Carbon Dioxide Attracts Mosquitoes
Larger people exhale more, so they're more likely to receive bug bites. Since you exhale carbon dioxide through your nose and mouth, mosquitoes are especially attracted to your head.
There is simply no evidence taking vitamin B will offer any significant protection from mosquito bites. In reality, if there was even moderate scientific evidence that taking a vitamin supplement could prevent mosquito bites, our supermarket shelves would be full of “mosquito repellent pills”.
The Rules of Mosquito Attraction
That means people who have a high metabolic rate and emit more carbon dioxide, including those who are pregnant, working out, or drinking alcohol tend to be more attractive to mosquitoes. The question of whether mosquitos prefer a certain blood type is controversial.
There is anecdotal evidence that smoke is an effective insect repellent, and the practice of 'smoking' rooms to prevent the nuisance of biting mosquitoes is widespread.
So, do mosquitoes die after they bite you? While these insects may die if you smack them when you feel a bite, there's no biological or anatomical reason they would die after feeding. In fact, these nuisance insects are capable of biting multiple times in a night. They'll keep going until they're full.
Vosshall researches another mosquito species that spreads dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya. In a study published in 2022 in the journal Cell, she and her colleagues found that this mosquito species also seeks out the scent of carboxylic acids produced by bacteria on human skin.
Bug Zappers – A bug zapper is powered by electricity and uses heat and carbon dioxide to attract mosquitoes. When the mosquito or another flying pest comes close to the device, it is electrocuted, killing it instantly.
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion
Another top-selling mosquito repellent lotion is Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion from 3M. This lotion contains about 34% DEET to repel not only mosquitoes, but biting flies, chiggers, deer flies, ticks, gnats, and fleas.
What colors are mosquitoes attracted to? Compared to humans, mosquitoes see a smaller range of colors. One study found that red, orange, cyan (blue-green), and black tend to draw mosquitoes, while colors that make you more difficult to see can repel mosquitoes, including white, green, blue, and purple.
The saliva of these blood-sucking creatures contains many bioactive ingredients, including some which prevent clot formation, and others that promote the growth of new blood vessels. In addition, some have immunomodulatory functions.
Lemongrass contains an oil called citronella, a common mosquito repellent. Swap your summer glass of lemonade for a chilled glass of lemongrass tea or carefully use lemongrass oil on your skin for a quick mosquito repellent.
Avoid scratching itchy bites. It may help to apply calamine lotion or a nonprescription antihistamine cream or corticosteroid cream. Or try dabbing the bite with a paste made of baking soda and water. Reapply the cream or the paste three times a day until the itch is gone.