Things You Probably Didn't Know Attract Mosquitoes

What attracts mosquitoes? Mosquitoes are drawn to several key factors: carbon dioxide from your breath, lactic acid produced during exercise, perfumes and floral scents, alcohol consumption, dark-colored clothing, and grass clippings in your yard. Understanding these attractants can help you reduce mosquito bites and enjoy the outdoors more comfortably.

Key Mosquito Attractants

1. Carbon Dioxide: Mosquitoes are primarily attracted by the carbon dioxide we exhale with every breath. Mosquitoes can detect CO2 from up to 150 feet away—about half the length of a football field—and and use their receptors when close by to pick up on heat, sweat, and body odor to distinguish their preferred target.

Although both humans and animals emit CO2, many mosquitoes (including the Aedes aegypti, which carry diseases like Zika, dengue and yellow fever and found in much of the US) strongly prefer human odor over animals.

2. Lactic Acid: Our body naturally makes lactic acid when you exercise and secretes this via your skin. Mosquitoes are attracted to this smell on our skin. Eating salty foods just exacerbates this. Showering with soap and water after exercise will help break this down. However, be mindful and check your labels as lactic acid is also found in many skin creams and cleansers.

3. Perfume and Scents: Trying to disguise body odor we know mosquitoes love? Scents from perfumes and soaps attract mosquitoes, especially fruit and flower scents. Try using unscented soaps during the summer months.

4. Alcohol: The science isn't exactly out on why, but the increase in ethanol in your breath and an increase in body temperature when drinking is likely why mosquitoes prefer you when you are more buzzed.

5. Wearing Dark Colors (Green, Black, Red, Navy): This again is likely due to the simple science that dark colors retain more heat than lighter sun reflecting colors.

6. Grass Clippings: Tall grass provides shelter from wind, shade and retains more dampness allowing mosquitoes to thrive. However, just mowing isn't enough. It's important to remove grass clippings (or any piles of leaves and debris for that matter) that could attract mosquitoes and create a breeding ground.

Who Is Most Attractive to Mosquitoes?

Levels of CO2 fluctuate per person and cause some people to get bitten more than others. Here's who mosquitoes target most:

• Pregnant women – The combination of higher body temperatures and exhaling more CO2 makes pregnant women more attractive to mosquitoes. Seriously, as if pregnant women didn't have enough to deal with already!
• Adults vs. children – Luckily for our littles, adults emit more CO2 than children and thus are often more preferred.
• People exercising – Heavier breathing from exercise produces more CO2 and combined with higher body temperatures and sweat makes people exercising a disproportionate target.
• Alcohol drinkers – Increased ethanol in breath and elevated body temperature make you more appealing to mosquitoes after drinking.

How to Reduce Mosquito Attraction

• Shower with soap and water after exercise to remove lactic acid
• Wear light-colored clothing instead of dark colors
• Use unscented soaps and skip perfume during summer months
• Remove grass clippings, leaf piles, and debris from your yard promptly
• Limit alcohol consumption when spending time outdoors

No matter what attracts mosquitoes, there are a myriad of ways to repel them. Millions of customers already rely on Thermacell's ActiveShield™ Technology to repel mosquitoes and eliminate the need for messy lotions or sprays, so you and your family are free to enjoy the outdoors, without worrying about mosquitoes or the harm they may cause.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?
Mosquitoes are attracted to varying levels of carbon dioxide, body heat, lactic acid, and body odor, which differ from person to person based on factors like metabolism, activity level, and genetics.

Does perfume attract mosquitoes?
Yes, perfumes and scented products—especially those with floral or fruity fragrances—can attract mosquitoes.

Does drinking alcohol attract mosquitoes?
Yes, drinking alcohol increases ethanol in your breath and raises body temperature, both of which make you more attractive to mosquitoes.