Scientists explain why some people attract more mosquitoes

Scientific studies show that mosquito attraction is driven by a mix of chemical, physical and visual cues. Mosquitoes, especially Aedes albopictus, preferentially bite people with blood type O, although the effect is modest. Carbon dioxide exhaled by humans acts as a long‑range beacon, drawing females toward the source. Once nearby, skin odor compounds such as lactic acid and ammonia, produced by sweat and skin microbiota, as well as body heat and visual contrast, influence the final target. A Cell study found that individuals most attractive to mosquitoes emit higher levels of carboxylic acids on their skin.

A separate analysis commissioned by SC Johnson examined over 100,000 Italian online conversations about mosquitoes over a year. The research revealed that discussions link mosquitoes to sleepless nights, disrupted outdoor dining, and a broader desire for comfortable summer leisure. Positive‑tone posts rarely focus on the insects themselves, instead highlighting the impact on family well‑being and outdoor enjoyment. An infectious‑disease professor in Milan emphasized that mosquitoes are a significant nuisance affecting daily life in warm seasons.