Why Mosquitoes Love You (and How to Make Them Stop!)

Female mosquitoes use blood to nourish their eggs. When they bite, the immune system reacts to the proteins left behind, triggering an allergic response that can range from mild to severe.

Mosquitos find their target using a variety of sensory clues

• Carbon Dioxide. Released by the body when you exhale, mosquitoes can detect CO2 from up to 50 to 100 feet away.
• Skin Microbiome. Drawing closer, mosquitoes detect odors released by natural bacteria that lives on your skin.
• Body Heat. Mosquitoes zero in on their target by sensing your body heat.

Why do some people get bitten more than others?

• Body Size. People who weigh more or who are pregnant emit more carbon dioxide.
• Body Temperature. A higher body temperature attracts more mosquitoes.
• How Much You Sweat. In addition to increasing body odor, mosquitoes are attracted to the lactic acid and ammonia in sweat.
• Food & Drink. Eating raises metabolic rate, which increases body temperature. Alcohol consumption may make your body odor more attractive to mosquitoes.
• Blood type. Some studies have shown that people with Type O or AB blood are more attractive to mosquitoes, but research is mixed.

How to prevent mosquito bites

• Use insect repellant with DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outside.
• Wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Keep a fan running, especially around your feet and ankles where mosquitoes love to gather (neck fans are a great option).
• Use fragrance-free personal care products
• Get rid of standing water around your home where mosquitoes like to breed. Clogged gutters and birdbaths are common problem spots.
• Sleep under a mosquito net when camping.

How to treat mosquito bites

• Apply ice packs to the bite to reduce swelling and itching.
• Use topical creams like hydrocortisone to reduce itching.
• Try to avoid scratching which can prolong symptoms and lead to infection.

Sources

• https://weightlossreport.today/blog/articles/2025/06/skeeter-syndrome-when-mosquito-bites-are-more-than-a-minor-annoyance%3C/a%3E
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X21000522#bib103
• https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/prevent-mosquito-bites.html