Why mosquitoes attack some people more than others

It’s a steamy and humid day today — perfect weather for mosquitoes!

But why do some people get attacked by the bugs so much more than others?

Entomologist based at the US Department of Agriculture research centre in Florida, Dr Dan Kline, says a combination of visual, physical and olfactory factors explain why some people are bitten more frequently.

“Working with a chemist we found that each human puts off about 300 different chemicals,” he told Stephen Quartermain and Emily Power, filling in for Ross and Russel.

“It’s the ratio of these 300 or so compounds that attract mosquitoes to some people and not others.”

Mosquitoes are initially attracted to people due to the carbon dioxide in breath, and as they approach they look for factors like heat to distinguish between people and plants.

“When they get even closer another common attractant is lactic acid that everybody produces by exercise,” Dr Kline said.

“Our diet, what we eat, can affect how much of each compound we have.

“It’s probably genetically-based.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about why some people are bitten more than others