Why Mosquitoes Like Some People More Than Others – What Attracts Them (Other Than My Beer?)

Are you the person mosquitoes always seem to swarm to when camping or hanging out in the backyard? Your genes, blood-type, and alcohol consumption may play a big part in attracting those pesky skeeters.

According to a study from PLOS One, mosquitoes will really like you if your are blood type O. B is not that much better, but type A people are the least likely to be bitten.

The study goes on to find that corpulent, larger people are more likely to be bothered because they breathe out a higher amount of carbon dioxide, which the pests like.

If you are a fitness freak, the mosquitoes (and Richard Simmons) will really love you because you will heat up and sweat and the flying blood-suckers thrive on that.

You mean sitting in the Adirondack chair with a cold beer is the best way to avoid mosquitoes? Not necessarily. Apparently, alcohol makes your blood tastier and mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of brews and cocktails. Me too. I must be part skeeter.

Finally, avoid colors such as blue, black, and red, which attract the insects.

As always, use a repellant when out this summer to avoid being swarmed. It seems mosquitoes are carrying more disease and viruses every year.