3 minutes readUpdated: Jun 19, 2026 at 10:12 AM IST
Researchers reveal why some people seem like mosquito magnets, while others escape relatively unscathed. The answer, they say, lies in a complex mix of body odor, heat, carbon dioxide emissions and skin chemistry that makes some individuals more attractive to insects.
Scientists say that mosquitoes, especially females (which are the only ones that bite), use a range of sensory cues to determine their next meal.
Frederic Simard, a medical entomologist at the French Institute for Development Research, told AFP that mosquitoes are indeed attracted to some people more than others, although this attraction can vary over time.
One of the strongest signals is carbon dioxide.
Swedish researcher Ricard Ignell explained that mosquitoes can detect gas exhaled by humans from a distance of up to 100 metres. As they approach, they begin to sense body odors, temperature and humidity, which helps them identify the most attractive target, Ignell told AFP.
Ignell’s recent research has focused on Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito responsible for spreading diseases such as dengue and yellow fever. In laboratory experiments involving 42 women, researchers found that mosquitoes are particularly attracted to people who produce higher levels of certain odor compounds secreted by the skin.
One compound stood out: 1-octen-3-ol, which is often called “mushroom alcohol.” It is produced when skin oils break down and appears to greatly increase a person’s attractiveness to mosquitoes. Even small increases in this chemical were enough to influence mosquito behavior.
Beer is the reason
Another surprising factor is alcohol consumption. Several studies have linked drinking beer to increased attraction to mosquitoes. Researchers believe this happens because alcohol can raise body temperature, increase carbon dioxide production and change skin odor.
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In one study conducted in Burkina Faso, malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes were more attracted to people who drank beer compared to those who drank only water. A separate study in the Netherlands found that participants who drank beer in the past 24 hours were 35 percent more attractive to mosquitoes.
The findings also challenge some long-held beliefs. Contrary to popular claims, scientists say there is little evidence that mosquitoes prefer certain blood types. Likewise, skin, eye and hair color do not appear to play a significant role in determining who gets bitten more often.
Precautions to be followed
Understanding mosquito preferences is becoming increasingly important as climate change expands the range of disease-carrying mosquito species into new areas. Scientists warn that diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and malaria could affect larger populations as temperatures rise.
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As researchers continue to investigate the science behind attracting mosquitoes, experts recommend taking simple precautions to reduce mosquito bites. Wearing loose clothing that covers exposed skin, using mosquito repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net, and limiting alcohol consumption can all help reduce your chances of becoming the next target of mosquitoes.
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For now, scientists say your body’s natural chemistry may play a bigger role in attracting mosquitoes than anything else, meaning some people make more tempting targets than others.
