why do mosquitoes like some people [like me] more than others?

put 9 people + myself in a windowless room by a stagnant pool in a costa rican rain forest . and i will be the only one covered with mosquito bites . what's up with that?

Answers:
It's about that time folks--
so thought I'd send out this reminder!!

OK, mosquitoes.
prepare to be repelled!

Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets.Best thing ever used in
Louisiana.just wipe on & go.Great for Babies

Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day
April through October . He said it works. He was right.
Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.
Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.
Vitamin B-1( Thiamin Hydrochloride 100 mg.)

If you eat bananas,
the mosquitoes like you, - something about the banana oil
as your body processes it.
Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes
will be much less interested.

This is going to floor you, but one of the best
insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods
every day), is Vick's Vaporub.

Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off
a smell that bugs do not like,
so plant some in that garden also to help ward
off bugs without using insecticides.

"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time
"camping out" say that the very best mosquito
repellant you can use is
Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about
half and half with alcohol.



One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered
is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure Vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks,
don't know about other insects.
When all else fails--get a frog



Fight West Nile.pass this along to
all your friends in skeeter land!

body scent,color of clothing,whether you use any scented colognes,aftershaves,shampoos,. can attract misquitos,try rubbing mint on your body,avoid black or bright colors,and using repellent when neccessary.
I don't know. I know people get mad at me because they don't bite me. What's the deal with that? (and I am totally being honest not kidding)
beacuse your just soo sweet!
Mosquitoes are attracted to certain body chemicals and odors. They will bite someone who has eaten bananas before they will bite someone who hasn't. It's true.

If you have a high potassium count you will be bitten first. Believe it or not I have the same problem, but mine is with horse flies.
Has something to do with your. That's what I have heard.
Mosquitos go for light skin, light-colored clothing, perfume, cologne, perfumed soap. They also go for people who drink beer.
They LOVE people who eat bananas. Somebody alraedy mentioned a high potassium level. That ties in with eating bananas. So is it the high potassium level or the smell of bananas that attracts them?

I had hepatitis A one summer. Had lots of mosquitoes flying around me but no bites. They would zoom in on me and stop about an inch away, then take off. I am not recommending hep A as a good method to keep them skeeters away.
I get an outrageous amount of mosquito bites compared to other people.
Although, a lot of the people around me have willpower to not scratch and I don't, so mine stay longer (sometimes pop up a few days later!). I just keep irritating them.
mosquitoes like people who eat sweet things over people who eat salty things
body heat has a lot to do with it, It also depend on how much of a histamine reaction you have to allergens. ie- two people might get the same bite and one would swell up and itch more and the other might not even notice it.
Good question, they bite me whether I,m sweaty after a long hot day or have just taken a bath go figure! Oh I don't generally eat bananas! LOL!
Are You a Mosquito Magnet?

Experts try to crack the code behind why mosquitoes like some humans more than others. You're flipping burgers for the neighborhood barbecue, and the mosquitoes have already begun their feast -- on you. As you swat madly at the pests, you notice other folks seem completely unfazed. Could it be that mosquitoes prefer dining on some humans over others? This may clear up the mystery.
It's true. Mosquitoes do exhibit blood-sucking preferences, say the experts. "One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes," reports Jerry Butler, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Florida. Incidentally, it's not dinner they're sucking out of you. Female mosquitoes -- males do not bite people -- need human blood to develop fertile eggs. And apparently, not just anyone's.
Who Mosquitoes Like Best
While researchers have yet to pinpoint what mosquitoes consider an ideal hunk of human flesh, the hunt is on. "There's a tremendous amount of research being conducted on what compounds and odors people exude that might be attractive to mosquitoes," says Joe Conlon, PhD, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association. With 400 different compounds to examine, it's an extremely laborious process. "Researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface," he says.
Scientists do know that genetics account for a whopping 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites. They've also identified certain elements of our body chemistry that, when found in excess on the skin's surface, make mosquitoes swarm closer.
"People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes," Butler tells WebMD. That doesn't necessarily mean that mosquitoes prey on people with higher overall levels of cholesterol, Butler explains. These people simply may be more efficient at processing cholesterol, the byproducts of which remain on the skin's surface.
Mosquitoes also target people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid, explains entomologist John Edman, PhD, spokesman for the Entomological Society of America. These substances can trigger the mosquitoes' olfactory sensations, or sense of smell, causing them to launch their "landing" onto unsuspecting victims.
But the process of attraction begins long before the landing. Mosquitoes can smell their dinner from an impressive distance of up to 50 meters, explains Edman. This doesn't bode well for people who emit large quantities of carbon dioxide.
"Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance," Conlon says. Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide, which is why mosquitoes typically prefer munching on adults to small children. Pregnant women are also at increased risk, as they produce a greater-than-normal amount of exhaled carbon dioxide. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes.
So if you want to avoid an onslaught of mosquito bites at your next outdoor gathering, stake out a chaise lounge rather than a spot on the volleyball team. Here's why. As you run around the volleyball court, the mosquitoes sense your movement and head toward you. When you pant from exertion, the smell of carbon dioxide from your heavy breathing draws them closer. So does the lactic acid pouring from your sweat glands. And then -- gotcha.
Where Mosquitoes Lurk
Even if your body chemistry doesn't attract mosquitoes, where you're located might.
Some of the worst mosquito populations exist along coastal areas, Conlon tells WebMD. And being several miles inland does not guarantee your safety from the pests. "They'll fly 40 miles for a meal," Conlon says.
Are You a Mosquito Magnet?
While any water source is potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes, they much prefer stagnant water. So if you crave a mosquito-free water oasis on your property, forego the backyard pond and seek out a babbling brook instead.
"Even in a desert area, mosquito biting tends to be intense around a water source," Conlon says.
Can you find respite high in the mountains? Don't count on it. Although they're generally not active below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, mosquitoes have been sighted in the Himalayan Mountains, Conlon tells WebMD.
How about cold climates in places such as Alaska? You're safe for most of the year. But, says Conlon, mosquitoes flock there for a brief, three-week period between July and August. "The Arctic National Refuge is one big bog," Conlon explains, making the mosquito population there second only to that in the Florida Everglades.
With a long track record -- mosquitoes have been around for 170 million years -- and more than 175 known species in the U.S., these shrewd summertime pests clearly aren't going to disappear any time soon. But you can minimize their impact.
Keeping the Bite at Bay -- Chemical-Based Repellents
Plenty of mosquito repellents line the shelves of drug stores and supermarkets each summer, but they're not all created equally.
The majority of available mosquito repellents derive their effectiveness from chemicals. Protecting the public from mosquitoes since 1957, DEET continues to be the chemical of choice used in repellents. In repeated studies, it's been proven the most effective chemical repellent on the market. Repellents with 23.8% DEET (most formulas contain between 10% and 30%) protect wearers for about five hours, according to a recent study led by Mark Fradin, PhD, researcher with Chapel Hill Dermatology. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts suggest that it is safe to apply repellent with low concentrations of DEET (10% or less) to infants over 2 months old.
In 2005, the CDC began recommending alternatives to DEET for repelling mosquitoes. Picaridin, which is new to the U.S., has been used worldwide since 1998. It has proven to be as effective as DEET but is more pleasant to use because it has a light, clean feel and is virtually odorless. Picaridin is safe for children older than 2 months. This substance is marketed as Cutter Advanced.
The other new CDC recommendation is oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is available under the Repel brand name. This product offers protection similar to low concentrations of DEET. Lemon eucalyptus is safe for children older than 3 years.
The chemical IR3535, better known as Avon's Skin-So-Soft, has also been marketed as a repellent in the U.S. in recent years. To date, research shows it's much less effective than DEET.
Safety of DEET Repellents
Just how safe is it to coat yourself in a chemical-based product like DEET just to keep from getting bit by mosquitoes?
"[DEET] has been in use for over 40 years and has a remarkable safety record. Only few hospitalizations have been reported, mainly due to gross overuse," Conlon tells WebMD.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after extensively assessing the safety of DEET, concluded that "as long as consumers follow label directions and take proper precautions, insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern." The agency does, however, offer the following safety strategies for DEET use:
•Follow label directions and precautions.
•Use sparingly.
•Avoid spraying on or near open skin, eyes, mouth, and nose, under clothing, or near food.
•Wash treated skin with soap and water.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides these additional recommendations for DEET use on children:
•Select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time spent outdoors.
•Avoid use on infants under 2 months of age.
•Avoid repeated applications, which may increase the potential toxic effects of DEET.
Alternative Repellents
Want to avoid chemical-based repellents altogether? Alternatives do exist, with one or two showing promise.
"Of the products we tested, the soybean oil-based repellent was able to protect from mosquito bites for about 1.5 hours," Fradin reports. He and fellow researchers found other oils -- citronella, cedar, peppermint, lemongrass, and geranium -- provide short-lived protection at best. Oil-of-eucalyptus products, however, may offer longer-lasting protection, preliminary studies show.
Hate to spray or slather yourself with any product, either chemical- or plant-based? Mosquito traps, a relatively new product, may be the answer. They work by emitting substances that biting mosquitoes find attractive -- such as carbon dioxide, heat, moisture, and other mosquito-friendly byproducts. They attract, then trap or kill female mosquitoes. When placed strategically near breeding spots "they have knocked [mosquito] populations down," Conlon tells WebMD.
So, is it worth the effort it takes to prevent mosquitoes from nipping at your ankles? Yes, if you don't want to be bothered by bouts of mosquito-induced itching all summer long. Certainly, if you are one of the few unfortunate souls in whom mosquito bites result in severe allergic reactions. And most definitely if you believe you're likely to be exposed to potentially fatal mosquito-borne diseases, some of which are becoming increasingly common. Take the mosquito-transmitted West Nile virus, for instance which Conlon says "is probably here to stay." And with it, the age-old, ever-adaptable mosquito.
Published July 12, 2004.
Medically updated May 25, 2006.

SOURCES: Jerry Butler, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida. Joe Conlon, PhD, technical advisor, American Mosquito Control Association. John Edman, PhD, Entomological Society of America; and Center for Vector-Borne Disease Research, University of California-Davis. Mark Fradin, PhD, Chapel Hill Dermatology, North Carolina. Environmental Protection Agency web site. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health web site.
do u eat bananas .. mosquitos go after ppl who eat bananas =0)
People tell me that I get them more because I'm just so sweet.
It's due to my body odor. Or if I wear a fruity shampoo or perfume.that makes the come to me.
Plus I'm pretty light skinned. and some say that has something to do with it,
You stink. That means you smell good to the mosquitoes.
I remember when I went to Cambodia, me and my mother were bitten alot. Especially my mother because I think she wears perfume and scented lotions. My relatives that live over there don't get bit nearly as much as we do. I remember one of our drivers said that mosquito's love tourist's blood because they're more sweeter and tastes better.
because you are tasty and do not sleep underneath a mosquito net.shame on you. Take that Lariam now!
they like some people more because they might have a different blood type, maybe sweeter then others.
I don't know how true this is, but I use to get bitten, but when I would get a base tan. they didn't bother me anymore. I guess I 'cooked' the top layer of skin and my skin didn't taste as sweet anymore to get to the blood.
I don't know, but I do know that this worked for me.
Wow and I thought I gave the longest answers on here! I think you have gotten many good answers, there is something to be said for the person who said that Hep. A kept them away. I grew up on the Outer Banks, and I have AB rh neg. factor blood. (kinda rare in some cases). The red cross used to LOVE me, but the skeeters just did not like me as much. I have seen them literally swarm some people while I would be standing there covered with the nasty little critters and I would remain unbitten. I used herbal essence (when it first came out, it was a very good smelling shampoo, or one that was called "Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific" Or "Milk Plus 6" and Dove soap (1/4 cleansing cream) very sweet soap.They should have been flying in formation to eat me if good smells and rare blood were their favorite! They would often land but hardly ever bite, now when they did bite it seems that they tasted and left ASAP! Which left a bad (very itchy) bite so like the girl who cannot resist scratching, I would itch and scratch like I could not stop myself often only making the few bites I got that were bad, even worse! I think they did not hang around long enough to withdraw the anti-coagulant which they inject with their initial bite to make their "withdrawal from your blood bank easier".so my bites (the few I got seemed VERY bad).

I used to swim a lot in the ocean, I know that they do not like me more when I have been in the ocean. Average banana user, but back then I smoked a LOT of pot (okay I was young and stupid and I do not endorse the use of drugs to try to keep them off of you just like the answerer with Hep A. does not suggest that).

If I had to pick I would have to read that long answer and do some Internet checking to see if his answer may be based in fact.

Tis the bite of the Mosquito that spreads heart worms in dogs (mycrofilaria) and I don't know if I spelled the clinical name right, just guessing.I have heard that in extreme cases that people can develop a form of this condition. Twas the skeeter who helped spread Yellow Fever (Bronze John) throughout the Southern US. The skeeter can also be a carrier of Malaria in some tropical climates. Now in areas of the US they claim that they are spreading the West Nile Virus. All of these things are fairly serious conditions/diseases. So though I do not know why they think you are so delicious and believe me, I was a beer drinking gal back then, so I can tell you the beer drinking and the perfumed soaps and shampoos may or may not make you seem tastier.but if I were you.I think I would take the time to use some repellant with "Deet".and try to avoid being their snack. Without blood they cannot feed the developing larvae (wigglers).when you see stagnant pools and if you are in a place where it rains, you are going to be busy, but even a thin film of oil will keep their hatchlings (wigglers) from being able to live, it smothers them by coating their thorax with oil so they cannot breathe. Do what you can to try to avoid them, use repellent when you must be exposed and know that your body chemistry may be good because you ARE tasty! Ouch that doesn't really make things easier for any of us to understand, but it's the best I can come up with. Maybe if no anwer here helps talk with an entomologist (professional 'bug person') to get insight from them, if the skeeters like you sometimes all you can do is hope that you can kill off some of their hatchling grounds and by using repellant that will make YOU less attractive to them.

Tell me it's not a pain in the posterior for them to like you best! I bet you used to wish you were popular, didn't you?.well now you are! I know you won't pick my answer and that is ok, cause maybe I have said something that will make you less vulnerable. One of their very favorite times to attack is when you have walked through tall grasses or in the evening, and I have seen them circle the tasty folks heads in a solid ring and start flying lower and lower around their heads (ah that buzzzzing is enough to let you know you are about to become their meal!) When you are bitten, you are sometimes better off to let them nearly conclude their withdrawal before smacking them, because they will also suck out a lot of the anticoagulant that they used to loosen up your blood flow, then just before they fly away smash 'em. Take care to clean and care for the bites, secondary infections from scratching can be as bad as the bites, and in tropical (hot moist places) the chances of secondary infection from bacterias breeding and spreading when you use those fingernails (hands are so dirty) to scratch, that you should try to resist the itchy uncomfortable bites. Though it's very little comfort you can get preparations that are made to help clean and deaden the itchy areas.

I feel for you, I have seem people literally swarmed, so I know that some people just DO taste better to those biting little critters. Think about living in a hot dry climate (like Arizona).(misery loves company.or I could switch places with you!) hehe.

Good luck and remember that they can carry some pretty nasty diseases, so you should try to use repellant and avoid the areas where they tend to swarm (if you can). Honestly Arizona (the desert area do not have as many skeeters as other places, so if you can relocate, you may be able to save yourself some pretty bad bites, but kiss the beach good-bye (except on vacations) :-(.

I wish you luck, and I have heard that Avon used to put out a bath oil called Skin So Soft that worked well as a deterrant for some people, not to bathe in but to put directly on the skin! I think they even marketed it for this purpose at one time. I don't think they like to bite people who are oiled up in this stuff? I never needed it, but some of my friends told me it helped them?

Maybe you really ARE just too darn sweet! I always had problems with fire-ants, and their bites would leave nasty little places on me, that would look like tiny blisters filled with blood and pus, and they hurt pretty bad.so while I did not taste good to the skeeters, the fire-ants thought I was mmm, mmm, good! It just goes to show you, it's always something!
ruthie ;-)
I have no idea but they go after my sister too alot.
Do you eat alote of suger?? that might be why.or if you smelt yummy..
maybe you are diabetic.
they like sweet blood. So if you eat a lot of sugar, then you'll get bit more than others.I've heard that they like bananas, but I'm not sure that's true. they are also attracted to perfume, cologne, scented candles, and perfumed soap.
Because the mosquitoes like sweet smells that appears in the skin.
Put A lot of garlic in your diet, they will slow down useing you for a quik snack.
I think mosquitoes working on the blood, so your blood suitable for mosquitoes.

Good luck.
I know how you feel. I have the same problem. Maybe it's blood type.
They are selective.
There are lots of reasons besides scent and stuff like that. If you don't want to keep them off with repelent spray you can always use cigarettes or alchohol
I think its because of carbon monoxide, i think they are attracted to it, im guessing you just produce more that other people. hope this helps!
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