Does it really matter what colors you wear outside? If you want to avoid mosquito bites, the answer is yes. It may be hard to believe, but studies show that these buzzing pests do prefer some hues more than others. So, what colors attract mosquitoes? And why are there certain colors that attract mosquitoes?
The Science Behind A Mosquito’s Attraction to Colors
Mosquitoes can be attracted to you for a lot of different reasons, including the CO2 in your breath, your body odor, your body heat, and—you guessed it—the colors of your clothing and your skin.
Research conducted at the University of Washington has discovered that mosquitoes are drawn to certain colors once they have smelled a potential host nearby. When a mosquito smells your body odor and the CO2 from your breath, it stimulates them to scan for certain colors and visual patterns, helping mosquitos identify whether they can feed from you or not. Of course, that means that avoiding certain colors could help you avoid getting bit as frequently.
Let’s take a look at what colors attract mosquitoes and how you can use mosquitoes’ attraction to color to your advantage.
Colors That Attract Mosquitoes
Are there any specific colors that attract mosquitoes? And, if so, what colors attract mosquitoes to you? In the aforementioned study, University of Washington researchers found that, once exposed to CO2, mosquitoes were reliably drawn to the colors red and orange. So why is that? Scientists believe it’s because orange and red are found within the color spectrum—the different wavelengths we perceive as color—of all human skin tones. Mosquitoes were also consistently attracted to black, and cyan (a shade of blue) seemed to draw them in, too. Even more interesting is that mosquitoes were drawn to high-contrast patterns, like colorful floral prints, preferring them over low-contrast patterns or no pattern at all.
Does that mean that black, red, orange, and cyan are mosquitoes’ favorite colors, no matter what? Interestingly, the research showed that mosquitoes ignored these colors until CO2 was introduced. Once CO2 was introduced, they ignored other colors while showing a clear preference for these four. Although it might surprise you, this makes sense because while mosquitoes can only see from about 20 feet away, they can smell from up to 100 feet away.
In fact, mosquitoes’ sense of smell is so fine-tuned that researchers have found they can distinguish between humans and other animals by detecting the unique odor of sebum produced by human skin. Mosquitoes rely more on their sense of smell than their vision, but they use them both to locate humans to feed on.
There is also evidence that night-biting mosquitoes avoid ultraviolet (UV) and blue light during the day, which is why you’re more likely to see them hovering about at dusk and dawn. Too much direct sunlight dehydrates mosquitoes, which can lead to an untimely death. That means that darker colors, which absorb light and heat, are more inviting to mosquitoes, while lighter ones pose a threat.
Colors That Repel Mosquitoes
Now that you know which clothes to keep in the closet during mosquito season, what colors can you wear? You probably don’t want to wear that red and black shirt, but there are plenty of options available. A mosquito’s attraction to color is partially based on the longer wavelength colors found to be reflected across skin tones.
Researchers found that mosquitoes tended to ignore these shorter wavelength colors even when exposed to CO2. As such, consider wearing clothing with lighter hues associated with shorter wavelengths, including green, blue, purple, white, beige, khaki, pale yellow, and even soft gray when mosquitoes are out and about.
As an added bonus, these lighter colors will also keep you cooler on a warm day. Light colors reflect light and heat rather than absorb it, which can also help repel mosquitoes. If you avoid wearing colors that attract mosquitoes and stick to lighter colors instead, mosquitoes won’t be able to sense your presence as easily. People also don’t sweat as much and don’t breathe as fast (which means they release less CO2) when they’re not overheated, so wearing lighter hues has multiple benefits.
Additional Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites
Even though wearing the right colors can be a mosquito deterrent, it’s not always enough to prevent bites because you can’t eliminate your body heat or smell. A ravenous female mosquito may still try to seek you out for her next meal. So, apart from avoiding colors that mosquitoes like, what are some other ways you can keep mosquitoes away while enjoying time outdoors?
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Consider clothing with permethrin in it to help repel both mosquitoes and ticks.
- Use mosquito netting around beds, to screen in seating areas, or even on hats to pull down over your face.
- To reduce the amount of skin you expose, wear shoes and socks rather than sandals, tuck your pants into your socks, and wear shirts with long sleeves and high necks.
- Spray a mosquito repellent on any exposed skin and around the area.
- Keep a citronella candle burning while you’re outside.
- Clear away any standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including wading pools, play structures, pots or buckets, gutters, birdbaths, and pet water bowls in your yard or garden. Also, address puddles from overwatering or poorly draining landscaping.
- Schedule regular professional barrier treatments to stop pests in their tracks.
- Grow lemongrass, mint, or garlic in your garden—eating won’t do the trick.
- Make DIY repellents out of rosemary, lavender, or peppermint essential oils.
Now that you know what colors attract mosquitoes and how to repel them by wearing the right colors and types of clothing, you can make smarter wardrobe decisions before going outdoors.
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This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mosquito Joe for more information and a professional on-site assessment.
