Mosquitoes are attracted to humans due to a combination of factors, including:

• Carbon dioxide: Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans and animals emit with each breath.

• Body odor: Mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of lactic acid, uric acid, ammonia, and other substances that the body releases when sweating, which can affect body odor and make a person more attractive to mosquitoes.

• Body heat: Mosquitoes are attracted to the heat that the body emits.

• Movement: Mosquitoes can identify humans more easily when they move, and physical exertion makes the body release more carbon dioxide, making a person more attractive to mosquitoes.

• Clothing: Mosquitoes use visual cues to find potential meals, and they may be more likely to bite people wearing contrasting colors that are easier for them to see. Showing lots of exposed skin can also make it easier for mosquitoes to find their next snack. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toed shoes, and loose-fitting clothes can make a person less attractive to mosquitoes.

• Beer consumption: Multiple studies have demonstrated that beer consumption can make humans more attractive to mosquitoes.

• Blood type: Some studies suggest that mosquitoes prefer some people over others, and blood type may also help determine mosquito preference.

• Skin microbiota: The microbiome that lives on human skin may also play a role in why mosquitoes are attracted to certain people over others.

• Eating habits: Eating sweet, salty, spicy, or potassium-rich foods is believed to attract more mosquitoes.

To avoid mosquito bites, it is best to wear protective clothing, use insect repellent, and avoid being outside during peak mosquito hours. Additionally, removing standing water from around the home can help reduce mosquito breeding grounds.