Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Seven Things That Make Humans Attractive to Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes look for people using several clues.
When you breathe out, you release carbon dioxide, which helps them find you.
Your warm skin gives them another clue when they get close.
Chemicals from body odour and sweat can also affect whether they are attracted to you.
The microorganisms on your skin help create your individual scent.
Some mosquitoes may notice dark colours, although wearing black does not guarantee you will be bitten.
Movement, such as walking or exercising, can make you easier to spot.
Pregnancy can change breathing and body temperature, possibly increasing mosquito attraction.
Preventing bites is especially important during pregnancy because some mosquito-borne infections can be more dangerous then.
Carbon dioxide from exhaled breath helps mosquitoes locate potential hosts.
Body heat helps mosquitoes identify where to land at close range.
Body odour, sweat-related chemicals and skin microorganisms can affect mosquito attraction.
Dark colours may provide visual cues that attract some mosquitoes, including Aedes species.
Movement and exercise can make people easier for nearby mosquitoes to detect.
Pregnancy may increase mosquito attraction through changes in breathing and body temperature.
- Who
- Mosquitoes, particularly host-seeking female mosquitoes, and the humans they target.
- What
- The article explains seven cues that can attract mosquitoes to humans, including carbon dioxide, heat, odour, skin chemistry, colour and movement.
- When
- The article was last updated August 20, 2026; World Mosquito Day is observed on August 20.
- Where
- Mosquitoes can detect these cues around people, including people outdoors who are walking or exercising.
- Why
- Mosquitoes use these cues to locate potential hosts, while World Mosquito Day raises awareness about malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.
- Main cue
- Exhaled carbon dioxide helps mosquitoes locate potential hosts.
- Close-range cue
- Body heat helps mosquitoes identify landing sites.
- Odour
- Body odour and sweat-related chemicals can influence mosquito attraction.
- Skin chemistry
- Differences in skin chemistry and microorganisms may help explain why some people receive more bites.
- Colour and movement
- Dark colours may attract some mosquitoes, and movement can make nearby people easier to detect.
- Pregnancy
- Changes in breathing and body temperature during pregnancy may increase mosquito attraction.
- World Mosquito Day
- Observed on August 20, the day commemorates Sir Ronald Ross's 1897 discovery linking female Anopheles mosquitoes to malaria transmission.