Mosquitoes’ Favorite Blood Type - MosquitoNix®
Unlike flies, mosquitoes bother humans for one purpose only: to feast on their blood. These stealthy bugs usually bite and drink before you realize they have bitten you. You may be wondering why you always get itchy, puffy, red welts on your body while your family and friends seem oblivious to this constant annoyance. Well, the answer may be due to your blood type. Here is why the mosquitoes seem to love you as a snack but leave your friend right next to you alone.
A Word From the Experts
Scientists have researched the patterns and behavior of mosquitoes since as far back as the 1970s, searching for an explanation as to why mosquitoes bite some people more than others. Research studies indicate that mosquitoes have a favorite blood type that makes them prefer certain people: type O. Why do mosquitoes like type O blood? Evidence shows type O blood proteins attract hungry mosquitoes more than the other blood serotypes.
These little bloodsuckers will also go after people with type B blood, but not as aggressively as they hunt down folks with type O. Mosquitoes' least favorite is type A blood, which means if a type A (blood) person is hanging out with type O or B friends, hungry mosquitoes may aim right for them and skip the type A people entirely.
Other Mosquito Attractors
If you don't know your blood type, it would be a good time to look it up. Now, if you are type A and feel like you do get bit up quite a lot, there are other factors that could be at play. Blood type is not the only thing that brings out mosquitoes in droves. Before you check with your doctor about your blood chemistry, you may want to consider these other mosquito magnets.
Carbon Dioxide
Mosquitoes can detect changes in carbon dioxide in the environment, which is the stuff people and other animals exhale. When you are outside on a sunny day doing yard work or exercising, you may breathe out more carbon dioxide, sending an invisible signal to flying pests that the buffet is open, and it's all you can eat. Don't stop breathing, but just know your breath could be bringing all the mosquitoes to the yard.
Heat
Temperature changes let mosquitoes know that warm-blooded animals, including people, are ripe for biting. Your body temperature alerts biting insects of your presence, and some mosquitoes are more attracted to the average human temperature rather than other animals. This is why it is best to wear loose, long-sleeved clothing when you go outside, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. You want to reduce the surface area of tasty skin for mosquitoes to bite.
Dark Colors
If you tend to dress in black and other darker colors, you may want to change your wardrobe during skeeter season. These insects find dark shades that absorb rather than reflect light another indicator of warmth that they find attractive.
Scent
We don't mean your body's specific aroma with this one. Actual scents can attract - or repel - mosquitoes. If you wear floral, fruity scents like ones with bananas, mangoes and other citrusy notes, you are more apt to attract mosquitoes, who love these notes. If you are going to go outside, it might be best to ditch your perfume and other fragrances if they contain these.
Body Odor
Speaking of body odor, yours could be a beacon for bugs, as well. When you sweat, you release ammonia, lactic acid and uric acid, which mosquitoes cannot resist. Your oily secretions are a mosquito's best friend. If you are going outside to do an activity that may cause you to sweat, the mosquitos may pick you over your friends who aren't.
Other factors that make you a delicious dinner companion for mosquitoes include alcohol use or being pregnant. These aspects most likely go back to body heat, carbon dioxide and certain proteins that may be found in your sweat or blood.
MosquitoNix® Mosquito Control
While people with type O blood should be more vigilant about avoiding mosquitoes, everyone can benefit from mosquito prevention. Ward off itchy bites and mosquito-borne illnesses with MosquitoNix's advanced fogging and misting systems. We employ eco-friendly, EPA-approved insecticides, granules and larvicides for effective mosquito control.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how our systems stop insect infestations from happening and can keep mosquitoes away from your yard in the future.
Mosquito Bites: Blood FAQ
◾️ What blood type do mosquitoes like least? Mosquitoes' least favorite blood type is type A.
◾️ What is a mosquito's favorite blood type? Mosquitoes are most drawn to type O blood.
◾️ How do mosquitoes differentiate between blood types? Mosquitoes detect blood types through chemical signals secreted through human (and animal) skin.
◾️ Are mosquitoes attracted to a certain blood type? Absolutely. Type O, followed by type B, are their favorites.
◾️ Should everyone, regardless of blood type, avoid mosquito bites? Yes, avoid mosquito bites whenever possible. Apart from being itchy and annoying, mosquitoes can transmit dangerous diseases, including dengue fever, Zika virus, malaria and West Nile virus. Some people have a mosquito allergy, while others can develop bruising from the bites.
Preventative measures, like wearing proper clothing when going outside, spraying yourself and pets with bug spray with DEET and avoiding dusk and dawn are all good starts to avoiding being covered in mosquito bites. But a call to the experts at MosquitoNix for a free quote never hurt anyone.
3 Responses
Alex S
Aileen this is response to your comment. This brand did research as well as other people it seems like the majority answer is Type O is the most targeted and A is in second instead of B stated in this article
Aileen Gardner
I have type A- blood and mosquitos love me. My husband’s blood type is O and he isn’t bothered by them. So what’s up with that!?
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Chrystal Mayo
August 06, 2021
My husband is O- and the mosquitoes love him! I’m AB+ and I maybe get 1 bite compared to his 5-10.