Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Caz
Lv 4
Caz asked in Science & MathematicsZoology · 1 decade ago

Why do mosquitos bite some people and not others?

Have just been bitten by a tiger mosquito 6 times. I splatted the pest because it was too fat to fly. My husband and daughter in the same room didn't get bitten once!

5 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I am a male in my 50's I have lived in California, Texas and Mexico. I bathe regularly and sweat no more than most people. I have had 3 confirmed but possibly 5 mosquito bites in my life. I am not alone, My father, sister and one of my brothers have the same history. We are all brunettes. My mother and my other 2 brothers are mosquito magnets. They are all 3 blonds.

    My mother is of Irish/British decent.

    My father is of German/Cherokee decent

    It is easy to see that our natural mosquito repellent is genetic. I would guess that your husbands genes are what protects your daughter also.

    This is not a matter of the mosquitoes going after someone else in the room instead of me. I can be alone in the area, I am often buzzed by the male mosquito but not bitten.

    Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, the air we exhale. I watched Myth Busters on the Discovery channel one day. They were experimenting on what most attracted mosquitoes. The only thing they found that attracted them more than carbon dioxide was the smell of dirty feet. I am not suggesting that is your problem. The simple act of breathing draws them in. The male will find you and begin buzzing for the female to come and bite you. The male does not feed on you. He is interested in breeding the female.

    Source(s): Myth Busters/The Discovery Channel
  • Paul
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Mosquitos sense your blood, if your capiliaries are closer to the surface of your skin (because you feel hot) then you are more attractive to the mosquitoes. If your body doesn't respond to the heat so well i.e. your blood vessels don't come out as far or are buried under extra layers of fat etc, they might go after an easier target.

  • 1 decade ago

    The men mosquitos buzzing.If you have sweet blood ; then they come.

    What can we do against ? A mint plant sites. Or on your pillow

    just drops perfume.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    Mosquitos are attracted by scent and colour. women tend to be bitten if wearing perfume. they are also attracted by sweaty feet and the colour blue.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    its to do with your body odour and sweat so you are more prone to them than others

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.