Mosquitoes are attracted to a variety of smells, making them effective at locating their hosts. Their keen sense of smell surpasses ours significantly.
Key Scents that Attract Mosquitoes:
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Sweet and Fruity Smells: As noted in multiple sources ([Mosquitoes are masters at using fine-tuned senses...](reference provided), [What Scents Attract Mosquitoes?](reference provided)), mosquitoes are drawn to sweet and fruity fragrances. These are often found in perfumes, colognes, lotions, and other personal care products ([What Smells Attract and Repel Mosquitoes?](reference provided)).
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Body Odor: Human body odor plays a crucial role in attracting mosquitoes ([A body odor buffet reveals which scents attract mosquitoes | CNN](reference provided)). Specific chemicals within our body odor, such as carboxylic acids ([World's largest 'scent arena' reveals bloody preferences of mosquitoes](reference provided), [Smelly Skin Compounds Draw Mosquitoes to Some People More...](reference provided)), are particularly appealing to these insects. The levels of these acids vary from person to person, explaining why some individuals are bitten more frequently than others. Even changes in body odor due to malaria infection can increase attractiveness to mosquitoes ([Plasmodium-associated changes in human odor attract mosquitoes ...](reference provided)).
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Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Mosquitoes detect the CO2 we exhale, providing a long-range signal of a potential blood meal ([How Mosquitoes Detect People | National Institutes of Health (NIH)](reference provided)).
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Lactic Acid: This is another compound in our sweat that acts as a strong attractant for mosquitoes ([Mosquitoes are masters at using fine-tuned senses...](reference provided)).
Less Obvious Attractants:
- Cyclopentanone: While minty-smelling, this compound, used in flavor and fragrance agents, surprisingly attracts mosquitoes ([How Mosquitoes Detect People | National Institutes of Health (NIH)](reference provided)). This highlights the complexity of mosquito attraction and the unexpected nature of some attractants.
The specific blend of these smells and their relative concentrations determine the overall attractiveness of a person to mosquitoes ([What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To? | TS Digest | The Scientist](reference provided)). Different mosquito species may also exhibit varying preferences ([What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To? | TS Digest | The Scientist](reference provided)).
