Mosquitoes really do bite some people more than others, and it comes down to the signals your body gives off, most of which you cannot control. Carbon dioxide, body heat, skin bacteria, and certain scents all make some people more attractive to mosquitoes.
If you're the one covered in welts while a friend sits untouched, you're not imagining it. Mosquitoes choose their targets, and science explains a fair amount of why.
The amount of carbon dioxide you exhale is a big factor, and one of the most important long-range signals. Mosquitoes track CO2 you exhale from several yards away so people who put out more of it tend to draw attention. That often includes pregnant women, larger adults, and anyone breathing hard from exertion.
Body heat and sweat also help draw mosquitoes in. Mosquitoes home in on warmth and the lactic acid and other compounds found in sweat. So someone who is hot and sweaty after yard work or outdoor exercise is an easier target.
Another big factor is skin bacteria. The specific microbes living on your skin play a big role in the scent you give off. Some combinations happen to be more appealing to mosquitoes than others. This is why two people standing side by side can have completely different experiences.
Studies suggest people with type O blood get bitten somewhat more than other types. Dark clothing makes you easier to spot. Even having alcohol has been shown to make people more attractive to mosquitoes.
Some of this you can do something about, but most of it, you can’t. Individual attractiveness to mosquitoes is largely baked in. So the better move, if you’re tired of being bitten, is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around you.
If you're tired of being the one the mosquitoes always find, Mosquito Squad of North Orange County can help. Mosquito Squad can help protect your family with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
