Do Lifestyle Factors Really Make You a Mosquito Magnet? Science Behind Why Some People Get Bitten More

Doctors say it is the mix of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors that attract mosquitoes towards certain people. However, understanding these can help you take preventive measures.

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Mosquitoes are known to transmit diseases like dengue, malaria, and Zika virus, but what remains a mystery to many is why some people are more prone to mosquito bites than others. Amidst monsoon chaos and waterlogging, the perfect ground for breeding of mosquitoes, concerns are again emerging among people about upcoming malaria and dengue season.

According to a study published in Nature Communications in 2022, mosquitoes are expert hunters, using both their sense of smell and vision to track down their next meal. The study noted that mosquitoes are particularly attracted to specific colors, such as orange and red, which correspond to the wavelengths found in human skin. This attraction is enhanced by the carbon dioxide we exhale, which also plays a key role in drawing mosquitoes towards humans.