What attracts mosquitoes to humans and why are they more attracted to some of us more than others?
Mosquitoes use a number of cues to find their host. Primary cues include the emission of carbon dioxide (our breath), and lactic acid in our sweat. They are also attracted to body heat. So someone who exhales more carbon dioxide, and is warm and sweaty will attract more mosquitoes. Dark clothes, which hold more heat, also tend to attract more. There are also personal differences in body chemistry that can attract them. Some people just seem to ‘smell better’ to them. Diet can affect this. Apparently eating bananas and other high potassium foods can result in more biting. Wearing flowery perfumes can also attract them. A few years ago, I was on antibiotics, and was nearly eaten alive. Once I was off the antibiotics, they more or less left me alone.
