What Blood Type Do Mosquitoes Like?

Feb 16, 2023
By
Child scratching forearm after being bitten by a mosquito outside.

Ugh! Why do mosquitoes bite me so much? My friends say having me along is the only bug spray they need! Is it my blood type? What blood type do mosquitoes like? Is it what I eat, what I wear, how I smell?

If these are questions that run through your mind every time you venture outdoors, rest assured, you’re not alone. Many people ask the same questions in an effort to understand why they are a mosquito magnet. Now, a guy or girl magnet, not so bad, but mosquitoes, no thanks! It can be maddening to be so attractive to mosquitoes. So, with help from the bug experts at Mosquito Joe® we’re going to give you the answers to:  Why do mosquitoes bite? We’ll cover mosquitoes and blood type, how different smells attract mosquitoes, and how your clothes can even play a role!

There are actually many possible reasons why you could be a favorite target of the little bloodsuckers. Let’s start answering some of those questions.

The Science Behind Mosquito Blood Type Preference

For over 100 years, scientists have asked, “Why do mosquitoes bite certain people more than others?” This curiosity has led them to investigate the variables that attract mosquitoes to bite. A study published in 1974 reviewed 102 participants, measuring how often each was bitten. The researchers evaluated each participant by skin temperature, percentage of subcutaneous fat, pigmentation, age, sex, nutrition, and blood type. Then, blood was extracted from the mosquitoes to determine the blood type most consumed by the feeding females. Among other findings, it was a great way to learn if there is a correlation between mosquitoes and blood type and what blood type mosquitoes like.

After crunching the numbers, researchers concluded that mosquitoes do prefer a certain blood type. So, what blood type do mosquitoes like? The nasty biters show a marked preference for feeding on type O blood. So, if you have blood type O, you are more prone to mosquito bites. (O, what a bummer!) That explains why a mosquito who bites you once often bites you again (going back for seconds). But how do they know your blood chemistry before they bite?

A 2004 study evaluated participants’ secretor status as well as blood type. Many people secrete antigens from their blood type in bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, and tears, while others do not. This means that creatures with an exceptional sense of smell, like dogs and mosquitoes (and presumably vampires), can detect the blood type of secretors without directly testing (or tasting) their blood. So, it’s not enough to ask, “What blood type do mosquitoes like best?” It turns out that what mosquitoes really like are secretors with blood type O. Type B is another favored blood type that attracts mosquitoes, though to a lesser degree than type O. (And they really don’t like A).

But why do mosquitoes like type O blood so much? A 2019 study investigated the egg production of mosquitoes that fed on different blood types but found no significant difference. So, the question of why mosquitoes prefer a certain blood type remains unanswered.

Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Certain Blood Types?

So, we’ve examined what blood type mosquitoes like most and found that studies consistently show that type O secretors attract mosquitoes more than other people. After O, the next most popular blood type with mosquitoes is type B, followed by type AB. So, mosquitoes’ blood type preferences are O > B > AB > A. But why do mosquitoes like type O blood so much? It’s a great question, but unfortunately, we don’t have a definitive answer— yet.

Having proven the mosquito blood type preference, scientists aren’t 100% sure why mosquitoes like type O blood. We know that only the females bite, and they do so to drink our blood. And we know why mosquitoes need blood. They use blood meals to nourish their eggs, supporting the next generation of pesky little suckers with essential nutrients. However, studies examining the quantity and quality of eggs laid by females feeding exclusively on type O blood show no meaningful difference from eggs laid by females feeding on other blood types. So, why do mosquitoes prefer a certain blood type? The search for answers continues.

Debunking Myths About Blood Types and Mosquito Bites

Woman on park bench in pink tank top and shorts scratching her forearm.

Myth: Mosquitoes only bite people with type O blood.
Nope. While mosquitoes do prefer a certain blood type — type O — they need to feed on us to reproduce. When type O blood isn’t available, they will feast on less yummy blood. (Imagine — not only do you get bitten, but then the mosquito says Yuck.)

Myth: Mosquitoes completely avoid people with type A blood.
Sadly, no. Having type A blood won’t protect you from getting bitten by a hungry mosquito anxious to birth the next generation of biters.

Myth: Blood type is the only factor that attracts mosquitoes more to some people than others.
Not at all. What you eat and drink, what you wear, how much you weigh, and even the skin products you use all play a role in attracting mosquitoes. And working out doesn’t just attract the opposite sex — female mosquitoes love it when you work up a sweat!

Myth: Mosquitoes prefer people with “sweeter” blood.
Nope. There is no scientific backing for the idea that mosquitoes are attracted to people based on their “sweet blood.” Mosquitoes are primarily attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, scent, and blood type.

These myths vastly oversimplify the complex science behind mosquitoes and blood type and how best to control them.

Why do we care what blood type mosquitoes like?

Why does it matter what blood type mosquitoes like best? In feeding on our blood, mosquitoes spread so many diseases that they kill more humans worldwide than any other animal. So, scientists are keen to learn everything about why mosquitoes bite certain people. The mosquitoes and blood type question is just one of the many that scientists pursue in the effort to protect human life from these buggy biters. It is a key consideration in aiding efforts to control outbreaks of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus.

Let’s go beyond mosquitoes and blood type to see what else is attracting the biters to you. Some of this information will help you avoid getting bitten, even if your blood is of the tasty type O variety.

Factors Influencing Mosquito Attraction Beyond Blood Type

There is more at work than mosquito blood type preference when solving the question, “Why do mosquitoes bite me so much?” Many other factors also attract biting mosquitoes. For instance, did you know that female mosquitoes (the biters) are attracted to the color black? Multiple studies, the oldest dating back to 1910, have documented this color preference, though the underlying reason is still obscure. Female mosquitoes also show a preference for red, orange, and cyan.

Additional factors that attract mosquitoes to bite include:

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Body heat
  • Sweat
  • Lactic acid
  • Specific skin bacteria
  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Beer drinking
  • Eating salty, sweet, or potassium-rich foods
  • Floral-scented soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and scented deodorant

Some of these attractants are common to all people and impossible to avoid. (Skip exhaling outdoors?) And some, like the specific skin bacteria, are hard to spot. Intriguingly, mosquitoes seem to prefer skin bacteria loaded with microbes but with little diversity among them. Scientists have come to believe that the specific makeup of the beneficial bacteria living on your skin plays a role in attracting biters. Your genetic makeup and unique chemical composition make you prone to mosquito bites.

Protecting Yourself From Mosquitoes Regardless of Blood Type

We know what blood type mosquitoes like — type O. And if that’s you, you can’t change it. Does this mean you are destined to itch and swat your way through summer? And, of course, changing your body heat or the diversity of your skin microbes isn’t so easy, either. Fortunately, there is still plenty you can do to protect yourself on a balmy summer evening when mosquitoes are the most active:

If you’re sweaty, a quick rinse will make you less likely to get bitten. When you shower, use unscented products. Just don’t put on tight-fitting clothes afterward — mosquitoes can bite right through tight clothing. Loose-fitting clothing in a light color that covers your wrists and ankles is best for avoiding mosquito bites. Next, put the beer down and skip the guacamole, chips, and banana daiquiris while outdoors to make yourself less attractive to mosquitoes.

Consider applying an EPA-approved mosquito repellent before venturing outdoors. The best repellents typically contain DEET, a widely recommended ingredient for long-lasting protection. Picaridin-based products are also popular, with a lighter scent than DEET. For a more natural option, repellents with lemon eucalyptus oil or citronella offer moderate protection, though they may need to be reapplied more frequently.

Learn additional ways to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquito Blood Type Preference and Why You Get Bitten So Much

Since 2010, Mosquito Joe professionals have been committed to keeping the outdoors fun for everyone. This includes providing environmentally sound pest control services that protect you and your family from stinging and biting insects. It also means using our many years of experience to answer your questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about what attracts mosquitoes.

How do I stop getting bitten by mosquitoes?

Protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites is essential for your health. Consider using multiple strategies, including:

Does vitamin B12 prevent mosquito bites?

Unfortunately, there is no scientific basis for the widespread belief that vitamin B12 does anything to prevent mosquito bites. Wouldn’t it be great if it did? Sadly, there’s a good reason that supermarket shelves aren’t filled with “mosquito repellent pills.” They don’t exist.

Are mosquitoes attracted to certain people?

Yes. Some people are definitely more attractive to mosquitoes than others. In part, it’s because mosquitoes are attracted to certain blood types more than others. But that’s not the whole story. Biting mosquitoes are also attracted by carbon dioxide, body heat, lactic acid, and sweat. People with a higher metabolic rate or who pump out more of these delectable appetizers due to pregnancy, working out, or drinking alcohol are highly attractive to mosquitoes, regardless of their blood type.

Stay Bite-Free With Mosquito Joe!

At Mosquito Joe, we love diving into questions like what blood type mosquitoes like. But our primary goal is to reclaim your outdoor spaces for bite-free family fun. Our comprehensive pest control services are available across the country and include barrier treatments, automated defense systems, and eco-friendly treatments to repel mosquitoes.
Whichever approach you choose, rest assured that all our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise® and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee, which ensures your satisfaction.

Request a free quote today! Let us make the outdoors fun again for everyone!

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