Why Some People Get Bitten By Mosquitoes More Than Others

Do you ever wonder why you bet more mosquito bites than others when you go outside? Does it seem like you’re getting bitten while others aren’t?

There could be some reasons for you to be the target of these seriously annoying bugs that feast on our blood. If you’re looking for a scientific reason for these bugs to bite you and what you might do to avoid them, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dig in and see what you might be doing differently that makes you the target of these blood-sucking insects.

Increased Activity Creates a Better Host Environment

We exhale carbon dioxide and inhale oxygen. Thankfully, the plants on the planet do just the opposite, which makes for a wonderful world dependent upon each other. When you’re active, you emit more carbon dioxide, which can make you more attractive to mosquitoes and let them know a potential host, you, is nearby. There’s not much you can do to change this except make sure you wear some form of repellent when you’re active. The additional exhalation of carbon dioxide might attract these insects, but hopefully, the use of bug spray will keep them away.

Could Your Body Odor Attract Mosquitoes?

We’re not talking about the perfume or cologne you wear, but your actual body odor. We all emit different scents, which are unique to us, and some expire lactic acid and ammonia more than others. We don’t know the exact levels of these chemicals that could make you more prone to mosquito bites than other people, but your personal body scent could be the cause of you being a bigger target than someone else. Another factor could be if you’re a twin. Some mosquitoes are attracted to the odors from the hands of identical twins.

Dark Colored Clothing Might Attract More Bites

If you’re not normally susceptible to mosquitoes bothering you, but suddenly you find yourself in a place where these insects are all around you. This could simply be because you’re wearing a dark-colored shirt, hat, or shorts. This doesn’t sound good for an outdoor wedding with the groomsmen all in dark suits, but it has been found to be true. Dark colors will attract these bugs. If you know you’re going to wear something dark outside, put on some insect spray and help these bugs know you’re not there to be their meal for the evening.

Your Skin Could Be Why You’re an Attractive Host?

Just below your skin, your body generates heat and water vapor, which could become an ideal feasting ground for these annoying insects. If you are the target of many mosquito bites, the reason just might be that your combination of body heat and water vapor could be an ideal feasting ground for these awful bugs. Mosquitoes can detect the heat and water vapor in your skin, which could make you more attractive to them than some animals that don’t have the ideal combination of these factors.

These Insects Get Picky Because They Learn

You might not think an animal as small as a mosquito is capable of learning and adapting, but they are. These bugs can learn to prefer humans to some animals and some humans to others. Some studies suggest that your blood type has something to do with the selection, but that might not be the case. Either way, it’s been found that only 20 percent of people account for 80 percent of the mosquito-borne diseases that are transmitted. This might indicate the creatures are becoming more selective about which people they bite, but nothing is conclusive on this topic yet.

Your Beer Could Bring Mosquitoes to the Yard

Forget the milkshakes of the popular song, the bugs you find in your yard swarming around you could be attracted to your beer. A study has found that people that drink beer are more attractive to these insects than those who don’t. This means your summer holiday barbecue could be filled with people getting mosquito bites because they are drinking some beer. If you’re the host, offer some bug spray along with the drinks to help settle this issue and keep these bugs away from your guests.

Do Pregnant Women Attract Mosquitoes?

It can’t be comfortable to be pregnant during the summer months, and mosquitoes certainly make things worse. If pregnant women attract these bugs more than non-pregnant women, nature isn’t playing fair at all. The reasons given for this factor are the higher body temperature and greater exhalation of carbon dioxide in pregnant women. Thankfully, there are many safe and effective insect repellants that pregnant women can use without concern they will harm their unborn child. Maybe these expectant mothers can be a little more comfortable, but they also might enjoy a nice outdoor fan and a screened area where these bugs can’t get to them.

How Can You Relieve Mosquito Bites?

There are a few things you can and should do when you’ve been bitten by one or more mosquitoes. Most of these actions do nothing more than relieve the swelling and itch, but that’s the problem isn’t it? Here are some relief tips:

• Avoid Scratching – This can help you avoid swelling and an infection
• Use Some Cold on the Site – A cool compress helps to reduce the swelling and itch
• Use Lotions or Creams – Several creams and lotions are offered to help relieve the effects of mosquito bites
• Over-the-Counter Antihistamines – When you have a strong reaction, some Benadryl could be the answer

What are the Best Ways to Prevent These Bites?

You want to keep the mosquitoes from getting to you and taking a bit of your blood. The best ways to do this are:

• Use insect repellent
• Wear long sleeves and pants whenever you can
• Choose light-colored clothing
• Avoid peak times – mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk
• Get rid of potential habitats – standing water
• Keep them out of your home

Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid mosquito bites and have a much more enjoyable summer.