Why do mosquitoes like me so much?

I get bitten by mosquitoes way more often than my friends and family. Why is that? And is there anything I can do to make it stop?

Mosquitoes are drawn to all people, said Dr Christopher Potter, an associate professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. But if you find yourself flitting them away more frequently than the people around you, it is possible you are one of the unlucky ones who are inherently more tempting to mosquitoes.

There is not a single, definitive reason some people get bitten more than others, Prof Potter said, in part because it is a challenging problem for scientists to study.

But experts have identified two main categories that make some people more attractive to mosquitoes – biological aspects you cannot change and behaviours you can.

Chief among the first group is how you smell. Dozens of diverse molecules distributed throughout your body come together to create your unique odour.

“It’s like strawberries. There’s no one odour in a strawberry that gives it that smell,” Prof Potter said. “It’s a combination of a dozen odours that all come together.”

And it is likely this distinctive mix of chemical compounds that draws mosquitoes, he added.

It is also possible that some people emit more of the odour that mosquitoes like, said Dr Lindy McBride, an associate professor of ecology, evolutionary biology and neuroscience at Princeton University.

That does not mean someone who is particularly fragrant to humans will always be a mosquito target. Mosquitoes are sensitive to different smells, even ones humans cannot detect, Prof McBride added. For instance, “mosquitoes love forearm odour”, she said. “No one ever thinks of their arms as being smelly.”

Mosquitoes are attracted to sebum, a waxy, oily substance on the skin that protects it from drying out and contains molecules that contribute to your odour.

Blood type may also matter, said Dr Christopher Bazzoli, an emergency medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic who specialises in wilderness medicine. Mosquitoes seem to gravitate towards people with Type O blood, he added, for reasons researchers have not confirmed.

The individual pattern of how you breathe – what Dr Bazzoli called the “breathing signature” – also plays a role. Mosquitoes seek out carbon dioxide, and the more you exhale, the more carbon dioxide you send into the air, inviting the bugs your way.

Then, there are the factors that are more dependent on how you act throughout the day.

If you were to do a vigorous workout outside, you might breathe more heavily and exhale more carbon dioxide, which might usher in mosquitoes, Prof Potter said.

Sweat sends a powerful signal to mosquitoes too, Prof McBride added – particularly sweat that has lingered for a few hours, mixing with bacteria on your skin.

And if you have had a few beachside beers or happy-hour margaritas, you might also emit some alcohol in your sweat, Dr Bazzoli said, which can lure mosquitoes. Alcohol might change the chemical make-up of your body odour, he added, which could entice mosquitoes.

There are a few evidence-based strategies for warding them off.

Some fragrant personal care products such as certain perfumes and scented soaps and lotions can attract mosquitoes, Dr Bazzoli said. So, if you will be spending time outdoors when mosquitoes are around, try to use products that are fragrance-free.

Certain clothing colours like black and dark blue can act like a mosquito magnet, he added. Research also suggests that mosquitoes are drawn to bright orange and red. Stick to lighter colours, Dr Bazzoli said. And if you want to be extra careful, wear long sleeves and pants.

A number of insect repellents can help keep mosquitoes at bay, in part by effectively masking the smell of your skin, Prof Potter said. Wirecutter, the product recommendation service from The New York Times, recommends those that contain picaridin instead of Deet (diethyltoluamide) – the chemical compound that makes up a large tranche of repellent sprays and creams.

There are also electronics and gadgets like specialised string lights or gear made by the company Thermacell that may help clear mosquitoes from the outdoor space around you.

Or, you can try a simple trick recommended by Prof McBride: Grab a fan. As indestructible – and endlessly annoying – as mosquitoes may seem, they struggle in a breeze, she said. “They’re not good fliers.” NYTIMES