Fragrance Attraction: Mosquitoes' Favorite Scents And How To Avoid Bites

Mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances, and this can increase the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes. They are attracted to sweet and fruity smells, as well as floral fragrances found in perfumes, lotions, deodorants, and shampoos. They are also drawn to the aroma of ripe fruits, such as citrus, mangoes, and bananas. Additionally, they can detect carbon dioxide and lactic acid, which are released when humans work up a sweat.

Mosquitoes are attracted to sweet and fruity fragrances

Mosquitoes have supercharged receptors that can hone in on scents more than 100 feet away. Female mosquitoes are the ones on the prowl for new smells and are more attracted to fragrances than their male counterparts.

Sweet and flowery scents in perfumes, lotions, deodorants, and shampoos can make you more enticing to mosquitoes. They also enjoy the aromas of ripe fruits, such as citrus, mangoes, and bananas.

If you're going to be outside a lot, try using only subtly scented or unscented products on your skin and hair. If you're packing a picnic, keep your basket or cooler sealed before and after the meal to avoid attracting mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are also drawn to certain colours. They love red and black, but they tend to dislike white and green.

They are also drawn to floral scents

Mosquitoes are attracted to floral scents. They are also drawn to fruity fragrances. This is because, in addition to needing nutrients in blood to produce eggs, mosquitoes rely on plant nectar to get some of the sugars they need to sustain their metabolism. Humans with floral scents are therefore particularly attractive to mosquitoes.

Research by Virginia Tech has shown that the smell of certain body soaps can make humans more or less attractive to mosquitoes. The research, which was published in iScience, found that three out of four floral or fruity scented soaps increased mosquito attractiveness, while one coconut-scented soap decreased it.

According to Clément Vinauger, assistant professor of biochemistry and co-principal investigator on the study:

> "Just by changing soap scents, someone who already attracts mosquitoes at a higher-than-average rate could further amplify or decrease that attraction."

Vinauger also noted that:

> "more than 60 percent of what is smelled after washing comes from soap rather than natural body odours."

So, if you want to avoid mosquito bites, it might be worth switching to a coconut-scented soap.

Carbon dioxide and lactic acid attract mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are attracted to certain smells, and their receptors can hone in on scents from over 100 feet away. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite, and they are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale. The more CO2 we emit, the easier we are for mosquitoes to find. Every time we exhale, we release chemicals like lactic acid, octenol, uric acid, and fatty acids that combine with CO2 to form a unique cocktail. This combination of scents is what attracts mosquitoes.

Lactic acid is another smell that draws mosquitoes, and humans produce it through physical activity and emit it through their skin when they sweat. You can also find lactic acid in certain foods such as yoghurt, fermented vegetables, wine, and sourdough bread. So, if you have any of these items around, you're inadvertently collecting things that attract mosquitoes.

Larger individuals and pregnant women emit more carbon dioxide, which can attract mosquitoes even when other people are around. When your heart rate increases, your body works up a sweat, releasing more carbon dioxide and lactic acid, which is attractive to mosquitoes. Their highly sensitive sensors make them better able to target warm-blooded animals.

Mosquitoes are also attracted to body odour – the unique combination of sweat and bacteria that emanates from the skin. When sweat dries and settles on the skin, it combines with bacteria to create an irresistible scent for mosquitoes.

Alcohol increases your chances of being bitten

Mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances, and they have supercharged receptors that can hone in on scents from more than 100 feet away. The insects are drawn to carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and certain blood types.

> Our study demonstrated that percent mosquito landing on volunteers significantly increased after beer ingestion compared with before ingestion, showing clearly that drinking alcohol stimulates mosquito attraction.

It's not just beer that has this effect; all alcohol consumption will make you more susceptible to mosquito bites. So, if you're planning on drinking, it's a good idea to spray on some mosquito repellent first.

While there is a correlation between drinking and increased mosquito bites, it's not the ethanol that attracts them. Mosquitoes are attracted to the increase in body heat and carbon dioxide that comes with drinking alcohol. They register these as signs that a meal is nearby.

Dark clothing makes you more susceptible to bites

Mosquitoes are attracted to fragrances, but it's not just perfumes and colognes that draw them in. They are attracted to the natural scents our bodies emit, such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and certain body odours.

Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours, as well as bright and light colours. This is because dark colours trap heat, making it easier for mosquitoes to sense and locate their targets. The insects use their IR21a receptor, or heat-sensing antenna, to locate their next meal. Dark colours also make people sweat more, and mosquitoes are attracted to the excess carbon dioxide released when we perspire.

Taneshka Kruger, a project manager at the University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, explains that mosquitoes "see" their targets as silhouettes, and darker colours stand out more. Kruger recommends avoiding dark colours and opting for lighter shades, which are more difficult for mosquitoes to detect.

To avoid mosquito bites, it is best to wear light-coloured clothing, such as white, beige, khaki, pastel yellow, or soft grey. These colours will also keep you cooler, reducing sweating and carbon dioxide emissions, which makes you less attractive to mosquitoes. It is also a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothing, as mosquitoes are known to bite through fabric.

In addition to colour, the type of fabric you choose can make a difference. Thicker clothing and dark outfits absorb more heat, leading to increased sweating. Opting for breathable fabrics can help keep you cooler and reduce mosquito attraction.

While wearing light colours can help reduce the risk of mosquito bites, it may not always be enough. Other factors, such as body odour, lactic acid, and carbon dioxide emissions, also play a role in attracting mosquitoes. To further protect yourself, consider using mosquito repellent, burning citronella candles, or growing mosquito-repelling plants like lemongrass, mint, or garlic in your garden.

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