Turns out this is a well-studied question, and mosquitoes are surprisingly picky. A few factors that make some people more attractive to them:
Body odor and skin chemistry Mosquitoes home in heavily on scent. People who naturally produce more of certain compounds in their sweat and skin secretions — like specific carboxylic acids — tend to be more attractive. This seems to be strongly influenced by genetics, which is why identical twins often have similar attractiveness to mosquitoes while fraternal twins vary more.
Carbon dioxide output Mosquitoes track CO2 from a distance to find a host. People who exhale more of it — often larger people, or pregnant women, who have a higher metabolic rate — tend to draw more attention.
Skin microbiome The specific mix of bacteria living on your skin affects the odors it produces. Certain bacterial profiles seem to make skin more appealing, while others (some research suggests very high bacterial diversity) may actually be less attractive.
Blood type Some studies suggest people with Type O blood get bitten more than Type A, though the effect size is modest and the mechanism isn’t fully settled.
Body heat and moisture Mosquitoes also use heat and humidity to zero in once they’re close, so people who run warmer or sweat more can be more of a target.
Alcohol Drinking beer, in particular, has been linked in some studies to increased attractiveness, though why isn’t fully clear.
Pregnancy Beyond CO2, pregnant women exhale more and run slightly warmer, which may compound the effect.
Genetics seems to be the biggest overall factor — estimates suggest it accounts for a large share of the variation between people. So if you’re the one always getting eaten alive at a barbecque while your friends stay bite-free, it’s not your imagination — you likely just smell better to a mosquito.
HOW TO BATTLE MOSQUITOES AT HOME OR AT THE OFFICE –
Here’s a practical, layered approach — mosquitoes are easier to control if you hit them at multiple points: keeping them out, killing what gets in, and removing what attracts them.
1. Eliminate breeding sites This is the highest-leverage step, since mosquitoes only need a bottle cap of standing water to breed.
- Empty or cover anything that collects water: plant saucers, buckets, gutters, birdbaths, unused pots
- Change water in vases and pet bowls every few days
- Check for water pooling in AC drip trays or under appliances
2. Block entry points
- Repair or install window and door screens
- Use a door sweep if there’s a gap under doors
- Keep doors closed rather than propped open, especially at dawn/dusk when mosquitoes are most active
3. Kill what’s already inside
- Electric fly swatters work well for visible mosquitoes
- Electronic Dispensers works well, dispensing a safe fogging spray every 15 to 30 minutes (available from The Specialists)
- Mosquito traps (UV light) can reduce numbers over time, though they are a bit more expensive.
4. Reduce attraction
- Oscillating fans are genuinely effective — mosquitoes are weak fliers and struggle in moving air, plus it disperses the CO2 plume they track
- Avoid standing water near seating areas outdoors
- If you’re prone to bites, consider it’s partly genetic (as we discussed) — so personal repellent may matter more for you than others in the same room
5. Personal protection
- DEET, picaridin, or IR3535-based repellents on skin are the most reliable
- Permethrin-treated clothing if you’re outdoors a lot
- Citronella candles and diffusers help somewhat but are far less effective than the options above — treat them as a minor supplement, not a solution
For an office specifically, since you likely can’t control landscaping or drainage, focus on screens/door seals, a fan near your desk, and asking facilities to check for standing water in outdoor areas or unused planters.
If you have suffered from mosquito bites for as long time, maybe give The Specialists a call. We can do a free assessment for your home or office to stay pest free this Spring / Summer.
