It’s a familiar scene at summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings – mosquitoes seem to swarm around certain unlucky individuals while leaving others relatively unscathed.
If you’ve ever wondered why these pesky insects play favorites, you’re not alone. As it turns out, there are several factors that can make someone a mosquito magnet.
Recent studies have shed light on why mosquitoes find some people irresistible. While you can’t change your genetics, understanding what lures mosquitoes can help you take steps to avoid becoming their next meal.
Pregnancy, Beer & Bananas – A Mosquito’s Delight
One major mosquito attractor is pregnancy. Pregnant women exhale 21% more carbon dioxide and have body temperatures about 0.7°C higher than non-pregnant women, making them stand out to mosquitoes’ heat-sensing and CO2-detecting organs. A study in the Gambia found pregnant women attracted twice as many mosquitoes as their non-pregnant counterparts.(ref)
Diet can also play a role. Drinking just one 12-ounce beer can make you more appealing to mosquitoes.(ref) Researchers speculate this could be because alcohol makes people less defensive and mosquitoes have evolved a preference for boozed-up blood.
Bizarrely, eating bananas also draws in mosquitoes, possibly because it alters body odor. One study found banana consumption could increase mosquito attraction by 165%.(ref)
Malaria’s Vicious Cycle of Attraction
Tragically, malaria infection can create a devastating feedback loop of mosquito attraction. Children infected with transmissible malaria parasites attracted twice as many mosquitoes as uninfected children in a study in Kenya. (ref)
To make matters worse, malaria actually makes mosquitoes more attracted to humans in general. This vicious cycle helps drive the spread of a disease that still kills hundreds of thousands of people per year.
Keeping the Biters at Bay
While you can’t do much about your genes, there are steps you can take to make yourself less appetizing to mosquitoes. Steering clear of beer and bananas before spending time outdoors is a start.
Wearing light-colored clothing can also help, as mosquitoes are drawn to darker colors.
Ultimately, a good mosquito repellent is your best bet for keeping bites to a minimum. Products containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol are most effective according to the CDC.(ref)
By understanding your risk factors and taking smart precautions, you can spend less time itching and more time enjoying the great outdoors.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
