Here’s Why Mosquitoes Are Attracted to You – And How You Can Fight Back

You’ve probably noticed it: one person at the campsite is untouched while another is scratching all night. That’s not just bad luck.

Mosquitoes have a whole set of cues they use to pick who to bite. Scientists have tested those triggers, and public health agencies have laid out what actually works to keep bites down. Here’s what they have to say.

Why Mosquitoes Single You Out

1) Carbon dioxide

Mosquitoes can detect the CO₂ you breathe out from a distance, which is one of the main ways they know a person is nearby. The harder you breathe, the stronger the signal. That’s why people who are exercising, working hard, or even just talking a lot may get more attention from mosquitoes.

2) Body heat

Once a mosquito is close, temperature helps it zero in on you. Studies show female mosquitoes will move toward the warmer of two options. Skin tends to be warmer than the surrounding air, especially around blood vessels, which gives them an easy landing target. If the air is hot and humid, that difference is even clearer to them.

3) Body odor

Your scent is a big part of what makes you appealing. Compounds in sweat like lactic acid and ammonia trigger mosquito sensors. On top of that, the bacteria living on your skin shape your unique odor. Research shows that people with less diverse skin bacteria communities tend to attract more mosquitoes.

4) Skin carboxylic acids

Beyond sweat and bacteria, your skin naturally produces fatty acids. People who make more of certain carboxylic acids are especially attractive to mosquitoes. These acids combine with sweat compounds, amplifying the overall pull. It’s a chemical signal that you can’t really mask, which explains why some folks always seem to get bitten no matter what they do.

5) Blood type and “secretor” status

Not all blood types are equally appealing to mosquitoes. Research on Aedes aegypti shows they respond differently to certain blood types. On top of that, many people release antigens through their skin and saliva that mark their blood type. This “secretor” trait may make it easier for mosquitoes to pick them out.

6) Pregnancy

Pregnancy changes how your body looks to mosquitoes. Women late in pregnancy exhale more carbon dioxide and have slightly higher abdominal temperatures. In field studies, that combination translated into more bites compared to non-pregnant women in the same setting.

7) Alcohol

Even a single drink of alcohol can make you more attractive to mosquitoes. Volunteers who drank a liter of beer attracted significantly more mosquitoes than those who didn’t. The exact reason isn’t fully understood, but it wasn’t explained by changes in carbon dioxide or skin temperature.

8) Diet

Food might also play a role, though evidence is limited on this one. A small study suggested that eating bananas increased attraction to one species of mosquito. This doesn’t mean bananas are a guarantee of bites, but it does show how certain foods could subtly shift your scent profile.

What Actually Keeps Mosquitoes Off You

Use EPA-registered repellents

CDC guidance recommends EPA-registered repellents with proven active ingredients. These include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanone. Apply sunscreen first, then repellent, and always follow the label directions.

Treat clothing and gear

Long sleeves and pants add a basic layer of defense. For stronger protection, treat clothing, boots, and camping gear with permethrin or buy items that come pre-treated. Permethrin should never be applied directly to skin.

Pay attention to timing

Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, so covering up or staying indoors during these windows can reduce exposure.

Manage standing water

Mosquitoes lay eggs in water, and it doesn’t take much. Around camp, that means dumping or covering containers once a week isn’t enough. You need to be on it daily. Empty coolers, fold tarps so rain doesn’t pool, flip over buckets or pans, and drain any standing water that collects near your site. If you’re in an RV, make sure awnings aren’t holding rainwater after a storm.

Choose lighter-colored clothing

Dark colors stand out visually to mosquitoes. Studies show mosquitoes use sight to move toward darker surfaces, which means lighter clothing can make you less noticeable.

Protect babies and young children

CDC recommends special precautions for children. Babies under 2 months should not use repellent at all. Use long clothing and a mosquito net over strollers or carriers. Avoid OLE and PMD for kids under 3 years. For older children, apply repellent to your hands first and then spread it onto exposed skin.

Consider plant-based repellents with caution

Some plant oils can repel mosquitoes, but protection is short-lived. Tests show clove, peppermint, citronella, and others provided only 30 to 100 minutes of coverage. They can help for brief outings, but they don’t last nearly as long as EPA-registered products.

Staying Bite-Free

Research shows mosquitoes aren’t choosing people at random. They’re actually following cues like CO₂, heat, sweat, skin acids, and even blood type. Add in pregnancy or alcohol, and the draw is even stronger.

The flipside is that prevention is pretty straightforward: use an EPA-registered repellent, wear light clothing, keep your campsite free of standing water, and take extra care with kids and babies. You might not be able to change how “tasty” you are to them, but you can definitely stack the odds in your favor.