Why do mosquitoes bite me more than other people?

If you've ever felt like mosquitoes are choosing you as their favorite dish while others around you remain unbitten, you're not alone. Many people ask themselves this same question: Why do mosquitoes bite me more than others?

READ: What makes you gain more weight, pasta or rice? 1. Your body odor

Mosquitoes have a highly developed olfactory system and can detect body odors from several meters away. Each person emits a unique mix of chemical compounds through sweat and skin, such as lactic acid, ammonia, and carbon dioxide (CO₂). If your body produces more of these compounds or has a mixture that is especially attractive to mosquitoes, you are likely a frequent target.

2.- Blood type

Several studies have shown that mosquitoes have preferences for certain blood types. For example, people with blood type O appear to be bitten more frequently than those with type A or B. This could be because certain chemical markers in the skin are linked to blood type and are detectable by mosquitoes.

3.- Amount of carbon dioxide you exhale

Mosquitoes can detect the CO₂ we exhale from up to 50 meters away. People who exhale more carbon dioxide (such as adults, overweight people, or those who exercise) tend to attract these insects more. Therefore, at an outdoor gathering, mosquitoes might prefer you if you're simply breathing more intensely.

4.- Body temperature and sweat

Mosquitoes are attracted to warmth and sweat. If you tend to have a higher body temperature or are more physically active, you may become more visible to them. Sweat, in addition to containing chemicals that attract them, signals to them that your skin is a good place to feed.

5.- Skin microbiome

Our skin is covered with bacteria that are part of the natural microbiome. The type and amount of bacteria we have influences body odor. Some microbial combinations are particularly attractive to mosquitoes. This factor can vary even between people living in the same house or family.

READ: Which is more fattening, flour tortillas or birote? 6.- Dark clothing

Although it may seem unbelievable, the color of the clothing you wear also matters. Mosquitoes are visually oriented and prefer dark colors like black, navy blue, or red. Wearing light-colored clothing can help you avoid attracting them as much.

7.- Genetic factors

It's estimated that up to 85% of the variability in mosquito attraction is genetic. This means you can be "programmed" by your DNA to be more appealing to them. This includes your blood type, body odor, and other factors you can't change.

If mosquitoes bite you more than others, it's not your imagination: You are probably more attractive to them because of your smell, your blood type, the amount of CO₂ you exhale, or even your genetics. Although you can't change many of these factors, you can take steps to protect yourself: use repellents, wear light-colored clothing, avoid being outdoors after dark, and keep your surroundings free of standing water.