Mosquitoes are surely small and harmless-looking creatures but they are pesky and can lead to dangerous infections in the body. Malaria, Dengue, Yellow Fever, and now the Zika virus illness, all of these are mosquito-borne diseases. In addition to that, the monsoon season catalyse their growth and thus it is advisable to keep your surroundings clean and disinfected to avoid the accumulation of mosquitoes.

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It might have dawned upon you at least once in life that you are more susceptible to mosquito bites than others. You are not completely wrong. In fact, there is a scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

 According to Dr Jonathan Day, a medical entomologist and mosquito expert at the University of Florida, some people produce more of certain chemicals like lactic acid in their skin that attracts mosquitoes. 

It is also noted that there is evidence that one blood type (O) attracts mosquitoes more than others (A or B). Dr Day had also said that because genes dictate blood type, genetics was a factor for why some people are attacked more.

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Dr Day also explained that mosquitoes use CO2 that is carbon dioxide as their primary means of identifying their bite targets and since all vertebrates, including humans, produce carbon dioxide, they feat on us for their blood intake.

Who all are more susceptible to mosquito bites?

Pregnant and obese individuals: According to Dr Jonathan Day, pregnant women and obese individuals are more susceptible to mosquito bites than others. This happens because these people tend to have a higher metabolism rate which makes them a perfect target for mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are attracted to higher metabolism.

People with O blood type: Sorry all the O positives and negatives. It’s science, not us. There is evidence found that suggests that mosquitoes are more attracted to O blood type than the A and B groups.

Those who sweat more: Sweat emanates the aroma that attracts mosquitoes more than anything. Apart from that sweat consists of lactic acid and ammonia, mosquitoes favourite food.

Higher body temperature: People with higher body temperatures than their counterpart attracts more mosquitoes than others.