There are several factors that make humans a mosquito target. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale, our body heat, and chemicals on our skin and in our sweat and breath. It's important to note Mosquitoes “smell” people, and scent is one of the main senses that mosquitoes use to find food. Food for mosquitoes varies by sex: Adult female mosquitoes feast on blood and nectar, while adult male mosquitoes just eat nectar.
Mosquitoes have sensory hairs located primarily on their antennae and mouth parts. When an odor is detected by neurons within the sensory hairs, a chemical signal is sent to the brain.
Mosquitoes are attracted to things like sweet things, your body odor, and specific chemicals. This is likely because they assume nectar is close by. Elevated levels of lactic acid, ammonia acid, and uric acid in your sweat can attract mosquitoes as well. Not that it matters, but studies also indicate that mosquitoes appear to favor persons with type O blood over those with other blood types.
Below, you will find the foods you should avoid to prevent mosquito bites:
- Stinky Cheeses
- Sweet foods and Desserts
- Banana
- Beers