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Rob
Lv 5
Rob asked in HealthOther - Health · 1 decade ago

Why do mosquitos seem to bite certain people more?

My husband and older daughter hardly every get bitten, but my younger daughter and I get bitten constantly and itch terribly. She and I have fairer skin but otherwise I don't know any differences that would account for the big difference.

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    First of all, you might be interested to know that only femalemosquitos bite people.

    Some people are tastier than other people.

    Mosquitos are very picky.

    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Okay now for the serious info:

    What attracts mosquitoes to me?

    Why some people seem to be more attractive than others to mosquitoes is the subject of much repellent (and attractant for traps) research being conducted nationwide. Carbon dioxide is the most universally recognized mosquito attractant and draws mosquitoes from up to 35 meters. When female mosquitoes sense carbon dioxide they usually adopt a zigzagging flight path within the plume to locate its source. Once in the general vicinity of a potential host, other cues predominate, including body odors (sweat, lactic acid, etc.) and heat. Odors produced by skin microflora also play a part in inducing the mosquito to land. Over 350 compounds have been isolated from odors produced by human skin. Either singly or in combination, many of these compounds may be attractants - and many may be repellents. As you can see, the situation is complicated and will require many years of testing before it can be sorted out. Visual stimuli, such as movement, also factor into host-seeking. What can be safely stated, though, is that ingestion of garlic, vitamin B12 and other systemics has been proven in controlled laboratory studies to have no impact on mosquito biting. Conversely, eating bananas did not attract mosquitoes as the myth suggests, but wearing perfumes does. People drinking beer have been shown to be more attractive to mosquitoes. Limburger cheese has also been found to be attractive. Scientists have theorized that this may explain the attractancy some mosquitoes find for human feet.

    http://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-information/faq.a...

  • 5 years ago

    Mosquito's are getting fussy and only biting the more affluent people.I'm surprised that your friends were bitten but perhaps they've got money hidden under the bed.Would you like 50p for half a cup of tea ?

  • Evieve
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    I think I read somewhere that (natural) fair hair and fair skin are big attractions for mozzies...I don't know why!

    Women are also more prone to being bitten than men

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Sweat and dark colored clothing attracts mosquitoes.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I heard it had to do with people's pheromones. I always get bit and my boyfriend doesn't.

  • 1 decade ago

    i heard that if you use fruity smelling lotion that you are more prone to getting bitten.. idk if its true, but i figured i could throw it out there..

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