Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Some People More? Myths Busted

For as long as mosquitoes have been biting humans, one question has persisted: what makes certain people so tasty? Is it bananas, garlic, clothing color, or blood type?

Most of these common beliefs have no evidence behind them. But a recent field experiment may finally offer some real clarity. Researchers found that certain hedonistic habits made people more attractive to mosquitoes—specifically beer drinking, sleeping with partners, and skipping sunscreen.

How Did Researchers Test Mosquito Attraction?

In August 2023, researchers from Radboud University Medical Center tested what makes some people more attractive to mosquitoes. They built a lab from connected shipping containers that held about 1,700 Anopheles mosquitoes, a malaria vector responsible for millions of deaths worldwide.

Festival-going volunteers—465 in total—first filled out a short survey, then blew into a clear test cage to release carbon dioxide, a key mosquito signal of nearby humans. Next, they pressed a forearm against a perforated panel that allowed scents to pass through without risk of bites. Over three-minute trials, cameras recorded each attempt as mosquitoes tried to land on the arm site. The study’s results now appear as a preprint in bioRxiv.

What Truly Attracts Mosquitoes?

The results revealed that beer drinkers faced more attempted bites. Those who had consumed alcohol within the last 12 hours experienced about 33% more landings than abstainers, a trend that remained even after cross-analysis with other variables. In contrast, reported substances like cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy showed no consistent effects on mosquito attraction.

Sleeping habits also mattered. Volunteers who slept in tents or beds with partners attracted more mosquitoes than those who slept alone, with a similar increase to that seen in beer drinkers. Sunscreen had the opposite effect, almost halving landings. Researchers suggested it might mask attractive odors or that active ingredients directly repel mosquitoes.

Blood type, long rumored to be a factor, showed no noticeable impact. Of the more than 400 people tested, only four experienced no attempted bites at all. The team also explored whether skin bacteria played a role, noting some association with Streptococcus on common landing sites, though no strong correlation could be confirmed. As the authors summarized, mosquitoes “simply have a taste for the hedonist among us.”

Applications and Limitations

Sarah Blanken, the study’s lead author at Radboud, cautioned against reading too much into the findings. Rather than giving up summer pleasures, she recommends simple protections like long-sleeved shirts, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

The researchers also noted several limitations. Unlike controlled lab studies, this trial took place in a lively, crowded festival environment. Volunteers may not represent the average population—after all, skipping a Billie Eilish set to test mosquito appetites suggests unusual enthusiasm for science. It’s also possible that some of the most carefree festival-goers opted out, either by oversleeping or staying busy in the crowd.

Still, the experiment offers rare insight into how lifestyle habits shape mosquito attraction. While myths about bananas or blood type don’t hold up, mosquitoes do seem to find pleasure-seekers more attractive.

Conclusion

A recent field experiment tested 465 festival-goers to uncover what attracts mosquitoes. Beer drinking, sleeping with a partner, and skipping sunscreen all increased landings. Researchers recommend simple protections like wearing sunscreen, repellent, and long sleeves.

Have an upcoming trip? Passport Health offers a wide variety of options to help keep you safe from disease, including vaccines. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.