Why Mosquitos Are Attracted to You
Why do mosquitoes prefer certain types of humans to feed on? From personal experience, there is truth to it. The insects do not seem to enjoy having a meal on me as much as on other family members. Sure, I still get some bites and itches, but this is a minor nuisance. Other members have to apply tons of anti-itch or mosquito spray to protect themselves.
Scientists had been studying this issue and have found that the insect is attracted to a human by body heat and carbon dioxide. Large humans produce more of it, hence, get bitten more. They are also attracted by smell. The old myth that mosquitos "love the taste of your blood" is just that. The bug has no capability to taste blood quality. However, the insect can distinguish between humans and non-humans because of bacteria on our skin. The bacteria increases when you are sweating but having high cholesterol or diabetes has no attraction effect on the insect. Taking vitamin B, eating garlic or whatever has no impact.
The humans who claim that their blood is tasty to the insect because of the number of bites are really allergic reactions to the bite. After you are bitten, some of the bug's saliva remains under the skin and the body's defense system sends histamines to attack the foreign entity. taking a antihistamine may help make the bite itch less, but if you have a nice smell, the bugs will still be attracted to you. The thing to do is NOT itch the bite area because the saliva spreads and your body will release more antibodies creating more itching.
Pregnant female mosquitoes are the most hungry because they need blood and protein. To make yourself be less appealing, wash the target areas with antibacterial soap to reduce the skin bacteria. Avoid walking during the morning and dusk times and spray your clothing and skin with bug repellant containing DEET, which confuses the mosquito's sensory systems.
Oh, swatting them also helps.
