If it feels like mosquitoes always find you first, science suggests you may not be imagining it. Researchers have found that mosquitoes are naturally drawn to certain people based on a combination of biological factors, including the air they exhale, body temperature, and unique body odour.
Carbon Dioxide Helps Mosquitoes Find You
Female mosquitoes, which bite humans to obtain the protein needed for egg production, rely heavily on carbon dioxide (CO₂) to locate potential hosts. Every breath you exhale releases CO₂, making it one of the strongest signals mosquitoes use to track people.
Adults generally produce more carbon dioxide than children, making them more attractive to mosquitoes. This is also why many mosquito traps use CO₂ to lure insects.
Body Heat And Sweat Increase Attraction
Mosquitoes are also attracted to body heat and moisture. People with a higher body temperature or those who sweat more often become easier for mosquitoes to detect.
Pregnant women are frequently bitten more because pregnancy increases body temperature and breathing rate, leading to higher carbon dioxide production. Likewise, people who have recently exercised may attract more mosquitoes due to increased heat, sweating, and heavier breathing. Larger individuals may also be more appealing because they generate more body heat and exhale greater amounts of CO₂.
Your Natural Body Odour Plays A Major Role
Once mosquitoes are close enough, your natural body scent becomes one of the biggest factors influencing whether they bite you.
Human skin releases hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are produced when naturally occurring skin bacteria break down substances such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and proteins. These compounds create a unique scent profile that varies from person to person.
Studies have found that individuals with higher levels of specific skin compounds, particularly carboxylic acids, are significantly more attractive to mosquitoes. In some research, the most attractive participants were found to be up to 100 times more likely to attract mosquitoes than those with the lowest attraction levels.
While mosquito bites cannot always be avoided, understanding the factors that attract these insects can help people take preventive measures, such as using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.