Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Me More Than Others?

Mosquito (Culicidae) on a leaf in Germany (photo from Wikimedia) 22 July 2026 In June I had no mosquito bites and was congratulating myself for being careful, but in fact there must have been fewer mosquitoes. Yesterday at Nine Mile Run they whined around my head and turned my hands into itchy pincushions. If mosquitoes are present they find me. I must be one of the estimated 20 percent of people that mosquitoes bite more often on a consistent basis. Why do they feast on me — and maybe you — more than other people? It comes down to attracting them. Mosquitoes find us by scent and sight. CO2 in our breath attracts them from as much as 100 feet away. People who exhale more CO2 are more attractive. Don’t exhale? Not an option. How mosquitoes seek a blood meal (illustration from Wikimedia) Mosquitoes are visually attracted to red, orange and black. Don’t wear those colors outdoors. People at an outdoor meeting. The person in red attracts more mosquitoes (photo from Wikimedia) At 1 meter,…