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Certainly! Here’s a well-researched and engaging article for the topic:
Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others (Backed by Science)
Have you ever wondered why mosquitoes seem to love biting you, while your friend beside you is left completely untouched? You’re not imagining it — science confirms that mosquitoes are selective biters. Some people really are more attractive to these buzzing bloodsuckers than others.
1. Your Body Odor & Sweat Chemistry
Mosquitoes are highly sensitive to the chemicals in your sweat and skin. Your unique body odor — determined by genetics, diet, and skin bacteria — can either attract or repel them.
🔬 The Science:
- Mosquitoes are drawn to lactic acid, ammonia, and other compounds found in sweat.
- The specific types of bacteria on your skin influence how your sweat smells. People with less diverse skin bacteria may produce a scent that’s more attractive to mosquitoes.
🧴 Interesting Fact:
Using heavily scented lotions or perfumes can either help or hurt, depending on the mosquito species and the scent’s chemistry.
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Emissions
Mosquitoes use carbon dioxide to locate their targets from a distance — they can detect it from up to 150 feet away. So, the more CO₂ you emit, the more likely they are to find you.
🌬️ Who Emits More CO₂?
- Larger individuals
- People who are physically active
- Pregnant women (they exhale more CO₂ and have higher body temperatures)
3. Blood Type
Yes, even your blood type may play a role.
🩸 According to Studies:
People with Type O blood are bitten nearly twice as often as those with Type A. Type B falls somewhere in between.
Even though mosquitoes don’t “know” your blood type until after biting, they seem to detect certain markers on your skin that are associated with blood type, especially in people who secrete those markers through their skin.
4. Body Heat and Color of Clothing
Mosquitoes are heat-seeking creatures. They use infrared detection to sense warmth and zero in on body heat to find exposed skin.
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