Mosquito-Borne Diseases: Reasons Why You Attract Mosquitoes More Than Others

Do you always have a mosquito bite? Do you feel that you have more bites than anyone else? Well, it seems that mosquitos are attracted to a certain person that has the qualities listed below.

Mosquito bites should be avoided because they might be carrying diseases like malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. Generally, mosquitoes only rely on a variety of attractants such as smell, movement, and color in order to find their food sources.

Mosquitoes are attracted to the body’s chemical excretion such as carbon dioxide. If your body excretes more carbon dioxide then it will attract more mosquitoes, which can sense as far as 164 feet. Mosquitos are also attracted to uric acid, lactic acid, and ammonia.

Apparel

Actually, mosquitos use their eyes to target victims.

According to Jonathan Day, a professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida in Vero Beach:

“Wearing dark colors (navy, black) and red makes you easier to spot, especially later in the afternoon, and their first mode of search for humans is through vision.”

Light-colored clothing seems to prevent mosquitoes from biting somewhat.

Odor

You can avoid mosquito bites by showering off your body and since dirty socks attract them more, it’s best if you change your socks.

Pregnancy

Some mosquitoes are more attracted to women who are pregnant. According to studies, this may be because of the increase in carbon dioxide of a pregnant woman. She tends to exhale 21% greater volume of breath than non-pregnant women. Also, it was found that pregnant women have hotter abdomens which add to the mosquitoes-like-warm-bodies component.

Alcohol Or Perfume

Mosquitoes are more attracted to people who drink alcohol because of the excretion through the skin of the sugar from the drinks. Also, perfumes with strong floral notes attract mosquitoes.

Lively Skin

Research has found that there are certain types of bacteria on one’s skin that attracts mosquitoes. Microscopic life, which creates a distinct fragrance, is found in our dermal casing.

In one study, a group of men was divided into those who were highly attractive to mosquitoes and those who were not. The delicious ones were found to have more certain microbes on their skin as compared to the unattractive ones with fewer types.

Body Temperature

Mosquitoes are sensitive to your body temperature. They like those run warmer. A hot sweaty human is delicious to them. This is the reason why they are attracted to you after the exertion of exercise.

Blood Type

Female mosquitoes rely on the protein in our blood for the production of eggs. Certain blood types are more desirable to them. Studies have found that Type O blood is twice as more attractive to mosquitoes as compared to Type A blood. Meanwhile, type B blood have less attraction to mosquitoes than Type O, but more than Type A