Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others (and What You Can Do About It)

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You're Not Imagining It

If you've ever felt like mosquitoes single you out at a backyard gathering while leaving your partner alone, science backs you up. Research shows that approximately 20% of people are "high attractors" who receive significantly more mosquito bites than average.

What Attracts Mosquitoes to Certain People

Carbon dioxide: Mosquitoes can detect CO2 from over 150 feet away. People who exhale more CO2 — generally larger adults and pregnant women — attract more mosquitoes. This is the primary long-range attractant.

Body odor and skin bacteria: A 2011 study in PLOS ONE found that people with a higher density of certain skin bacteria (particularly Staphylococcus species) were more attractive to mosquitoes. Interestingly, having a more diverse bacterial community on your skin made you less attractive.

Blood type: Research published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that mosquitoes landed on people with Type O blood nearly twice as often as those with Type A. About 85% of people secrete a chemical signal indicating their blood type through their skin — and mosquitoes can detect it.

Lactic acid and heat: Exercise increases lactic acid production and raises your body temperature, both of which attract mosquitoes. This is why you get bitten more after a workout or while doing yard work.

Beer consumption: A study in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association found that even a single 12-ounce beer significantly increased mosquito attraction. The mechanism isn't fully understood but may relate to increased skin temperature and ethanol in sweat.

Clothing color: Mosquitoes are visual hunters at close range. Dark colors (black, navy, red) stand out against the horizon and attract more attention. Light colors (white, khaki, pastels) are less visible to mosquitoes.

What You Can Actually Do About It

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors during mosquito hours
• Shower after exercise before spending time outdoors in the evening
• Use EPA-registered repellents containing DEET (20-30%), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Time outdoor activities to avoid dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Use fans — mosquitoes can't fly in wind above 10 mph
• Invest in yard treatment — reducing the overall mosquito population around your home protects everyone, regardless of their individual attractiveness to mosquitoes

The Most Effective Solution

While personal repellents and clothing choices help, the most effective way to reduce mosquito bites is to reduce the mosquito population around your home. Professional perimeter barrier treatment combined with standing water elimination can reduce mosquito populations on your property by 85-90%.