Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Me So Much? 9 Reasons You’re a Mosquito Magnet

Do you know someone who always seems to get bitten by mosquitoes? Or maybe it’s you, and you always wonder, “Why do mosquitoes bite me so much?” Research shows that some people really are “mosquito magnets.”

No one wants to attract a mosquito’s attention. Mosquito bites aren’t just irritating. They can get infected and cause more serious symptoms. And mosquitoes can spread illnesses like West Nile virus, dengue fever, or malaria to humans through bites. 

Here are nine reasons you might be attracting mosquitoes — and what you can do about it.

1.  Carbon dioxide

It may sound scary, but you’re attracting mosquitoes just by breathing. With every exhale, you give off carbon dioxide (CO2). And mosquitoes know that where there’s CO2, there are people to bite. In fact, sensing CO2 seems to be the first thing to alert mosquitoes that a meal is close by. Next, they use senses like smell, vision, and heat sensing to find humans.

2. Body odor

Mosquitoes can “smell” you. When you sweat, your body gives off chemicals, including carboxylic acid, ammonia, and lactic acid. Each person releases a different amount of these chemicals. And some people give off just the right amount of each one — creating an irresistible perfume that attracts mosquitoes. So, maybe you’ve wondered, “What attracts mosquitoes?” Well, the answer just might be your own sweat.

There’s nothing you can do to change how much of these chemicals you give off when you sweat. Things like deodorant won’t change your body’s natural metabolism.

3. Body temperature

Mosquitoes are “heat seeking,” which means they’re drawn to body heat. Experts have found that mosquitoes can detect even small differences in temperature. If you have a higher body temperature (like during exercise), you may find yourself the target of nearby mosquitoes.  

4. Blood type

People with certain blood types are more likely to get bitten by mosquitos. There’s research showing that people with Type O blood are more likely to get bites from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (a common mosquito in the U.S.). 

On the other hand, people with Type A blood tend to be less desirable targets for these pests. So, if you’ve been asking, “Why do mosquitoes bite me and not my husband?” — it turns out that your blood type could be the answer.

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• Yes, DEET can be used on kids. Find out how to safely apply this mosquito repellent on kids.

5. Diet

For years, researchers have been trying to figure out if a person’s diet can make them more likely to attract mosquitoes. It turns out your diet doesn’t really affect your chances of getting mosquito bites. But there are possible exceptions — like bananas. 

One small study suggests that eating bananas makes you more attractive to mosquitoes. But these studies weren’t strong enough for researchers to say you should stop eating bananas to decrease your risk of getting bitten. So don’t throw out that banana just yet.

6. Clothing color

Mosquitoes may also be influenced by the colors you wear. A recent study showed that orange and red colors attract mosquitoes. This same study showed that mosquitoes weren’t quite as interested in green and blue colors. There’s also evidence that mosquitoes are more attracted to people when they wear darker colors. 

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There’s no color that can make you “invisible” to mosquitoes. But lighter colors, especially light blue and green, seem to attract less attention from mosquitoes.

7. Pregnancy

Studies show that you’re much more likely to attract mosquitoes when you’re pregnant. Pregnancy increases your metabolism. And increased metabolism means you’re giving off more carbon dioxide and heat — two mosquito magnets.

8. Skin bacteria

Believe it or not, the bacteria living on your skin can influence how likely you are to get bitten by mosquitoes. These bacteria help break down sweat and produce body odors — some of which are more appealing to mosquitoes than others. Studies have shown that people with certain skin bacteria may be more attractive to mosquitoes. So, if you’re always the one getting bitten, your skin’s microbiome might be part of the reason.

9. Alcohol consumption

If you’ve ever felt like mosquitoes love you more after a drink, you might be onto something. Research shows that drinking alcohol — especially beer — can make you more attractive to mosquitoes. One study found that people who drank beer were bitten more often than when they weren’t drinking beer. So, while that cold beer might hit the spot, it could also make you a mosquito magnet.

How to prevent mosquito bites

Like humans, mosquitoes want to work smarter, not harder. They’ll get their meal from the easiest possible source. So, while you can’t control your blood type or the chemical makeup of your sweat, you can learn how to keep mosquitoes away. Here are a few tips.

1. Eliminate standing water around your home

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. You can help control the mosquito population near you by getting rid of places for water to accumulate. This can reduce the number of adult mosquitoes in an area by as much as 70%.

2. Cover your skin

Wear long sleeves and pants whenever possible. The less skin you expose, the harder it is for mosquitoes to bite you. You can get a mosquito bite through clothing, but you’re less likely to get bitten if you’re wearing clothes.

3. Choose the right time of day to be outside

Mosquitoes are more active during certain times of the day — the hours right before sunset and early morning before the sun has fully risen. So, if you’re going for a run or working outdoors, try not to do it during peak feeding times.

4. Wear light-colored clothing

Mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors. Swap out dark outfits for lighter colors to help avoid detection. 

5. Use mosquito repellent

Mosquito repellent makes you less appealing to mosquitoes. The most effective insect repellents have DEET. You want to apply DEET to both exposed skin and clothes. Bracelets or wristbands (even those containing DEET) don’t keep mosquitoes away. 

When used correctly, DEET is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you prefer not to use DEET-based repellent, some good options that are also approved by the EPA are:

• Para-menthane-diol (PMD) 

• Picaridin 

You can even try making your own homemade mosquito repellent. You can try some essential oils that repel mosquitoes and other natural options, like:

• Citronella

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus 

• Lavender oil 

6. Decorate with plants that repel mosquitoes

Some studies have shown that essential oils derived from basil and marigold can repel mosquitoes. But there’s not much evidence that adding these plants to your garden will drive away mosquitoes.

How to treat mosquito bites

Mosquito bites are annoying. But the good news is there are plenty of ways to soothe the itch and help your skin heal faster. Here’s a quick breakdown of what works.

1. Wash with soap and water

Start simple. Cleaning the bite with soap and water helps prevent infection, especially if you’ve been scratching.

2. Apply an ice pack

Cold compress helps reduce swelling and numbs the area. Wrap ice in a cloth so you’re not applying it directly to your skin. Apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes at a time before taking a break.

3. Use anti-itch creams

Over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can calm the skin and reduce inflammation. You can use these a few times a day as needed to stop the itch.

3. Take an oral antihistamine

If the itching is intense and lotions don’t work, an oral antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin) can help block the body’s itch response from the inside out.

4. Try natural remedies

Some natural remedies have anti-inflammatory properties and may offer relief for mild symptoms. Good ones to try for soothing the skin include:

• Oatmeal baths

• Aloe vera

• Honey 

Just make sure you’re not allergic to any of these before putting them on your body.

5. Avoid scratching

It’s hard to avoid scratching a mosquito bite. But scratching can lead to broken skin and cause an infection. If you’re having a hard time resisting, try covering the bite with a bandage.

6. Watch for signs of infection

If the bite gets redder, more swollen, or starts oozing, it could be infected. In that case, it’s time to check in with a healthcare professional.

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Written by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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