Why Do Mosquito Bites?

We love when you work up a sweat.

You think we’re drawn by the aroma of your “sweet blood,” but it’s really the carbon dioxide you exhale that makes us beeline toward you. The harder you breathe, the more CO2 you emit, so you’re especially attractive after a jog.

Hate getting bitten up?

Blame the ladies. We don’t like to admit this, but male mosquitoes do not eat human blood: They get all their nutrition from plant nectar. We females need your blood, which contains a protein that helps our eggs develop. After we have a blood meal, we can lay anywhere from 100 to 400 eggs.

Love beer?

So do some of us. It’s crazy, but we can tell when you’ve been drinking because your skin chemistry changes, and it lures us in.

Smelly feet are simply delicious.

In fact, scientists have shown that we find your tootsies ten times more alluring than Limburger cheese (but really our favorite body part is your hand).

To evade us at a party, don’t be a wallflower.

When we smell a huge mass of carbon dioxide, we fly toward it; after we get there, it’s easier to attack the people on the perimeter of the group than those smack-dab in the center.

If your home’s landscaping is well tended, we won’t like it as much.

We like to hang out in thick, overgrown vegetation. The darker and more humid, the better. If you keep your lawn mowed, pool skimmed, and bushes trimmed, your backyard won’t be very appealing. Removing puddles of stagnant water is also a great way to repel us—that’s where we like to lay our eggs.

We’re thrilled when you buy DEET-free repellent.

DEET, along with picaridin, is among the stronger types that help keep us away. Each type blocks different receptors that allow us to track you down. We’re also not big fans of lemon eucalyptus, although these are a little weaker than DEET and picaridin.

Got those CO2-emitting traps in your yard?

Great! You may think you’re outsmarting us with these devices, which emit carbon dioxide to lure us into a trap. But...