What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To

Not all mosquitoes are attracted to the same things but generally, human skin contains over 400 chemical compounds that could play a role in attracting mosquitoes. Some compounds may also repel mosquitoes. It really depends on the person and their particular combination of skin bacteria, the food they eat, and other factors. Some of the things that can attract mosquitoes include:

• Sweat – Female mosquitoes need water to reproduce and are attracted to high humidity areas.
• Body temp – The higher your body temperature, the more attractive you are to mosquitoes. The heat from your body makes you easy to find.
• Perfumes and fragrances – Male mosquitoes and non-reproducing female mosquitoes feed on flower nectars so floral fragrances on human skin attract them as well.
• Potassium, salt, and lactic acid – People who consume a lot of potassium, salt, and lactic acid are more likely to attract mosquitoes than those who avoid bananas, avocados, and dried fruit.
• Consuming alcoholic beverages – Some Entomologists say that when humans drink alcohol, they produce chemicals that attract mosquitoes. Alcohol raises your body temperature, which makes you more attractive to mosquitoes.
• Dark clothing – According to researchers, mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors as mosquitoes use their eyesight to locate distant targets. Dark colors are easier for mosquitoes to detect.
• Blood type – Apparently, a 2004 National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) study revealed that humans with type O blood were 83% more likely to attract mosquitoes than those with other blood types.
• Pregnant women – Because pregnant women exhale twice as much CO₂ as other humans, they are easier for mosquitoes to detect and target than other people.

If mosquitoes are an issue on your South Florida property, contact your local mosquito control services expert, Petri Pest Control Services. Our techs will visit your property to conduct an initial inspection and make recommendations based on their findings.