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Here’s why mosquitoes bite some people more than others.

1 mosquito full of blood

It’s true. Mosquitoes prefer biting some people over others and now scientists know why. As it turns out, about 20% of people are especially yummy to mosquitoes. Here’s why.

Mosquitoes smell carbon dioxide

Mosquitoes find victims by smelling carbon dioxide. They can smell it from across a large yard. People who exhale more carbon dioxide than others become targets. This is why children, who breathe smaller breaths, are bitten by mosquitoes less often than adults.

Mosquitoes prefer dark colors

Just as we see with human beings, to a mosquito, certain colors stand out more than others. If you wear black, dark blue, or red, mosquitoes will swarm your way.

Mosquitoes smell lactic acid

Mosquitoes can also smell lactic acid, the chemical excreted when you exercise. They also are attracted to heat. Thus, sweaty people get bit more.

Mosquitoes prefer Type O blood

Mosquitoes prefer people with Type O blood but will go for Type B kids if hungry. They hate Type A blood which tastes especially nasty to them.

Mosquitoes find pregnant women tasty

Pregnant women get bitten by mosquitoes twice as often as other people. This is because they breathe out about 21% more carbon dioxide.

Mosquitoes like beer

And for a reason scientist do not yet understand, mosquitoes prefer people who drink beer.

So why do some people attract mosquitoes more than others?

If you’re saying, “who cares, just wear mosquito repellent”, we’ll remind you that scientists have also found that mosquitoes develop an immunity to mosquito sprays. They only work for a limited period of time.

So in summary, if you are a sweaty, panting, drunk pregnant woman wearing black, get ready to scratch.

Mosquito biting a person
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