What Colors Attract Mosquitoes?

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. Some people also wonder, are mosquitoes attracted to light? While light does play a role in how mosquitoes navigate, it’s not as influential as scent, CO2, and color when it comes to finding their next meal.

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. This often leads people to wonder: are mosquitoes attracted to light? While certain species are more active at dawn and dusk and may avoid UV or blue light during the day, it’s really the combination of scent, CO2, and dark colors that attracts them—not light itself. 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.

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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.

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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.

However, if you want to reduce the number of mosquitos buzzing around you and your yard for good, Mosquito Joe^® can help. Our Mosquito Joe services make it easy to tackle the mosquito problem in your yard. We offer traditional barrier spray treatments, as well as natural pest control treatments. No matter which kind of mosquito control you choose, you can trust that our services are provided by trained professionals and backed by our Neighborly Done Right Promise^® and Mosquito Joe Guarantee.

Our treatments begin working right away upon application and last from 14 to 21 days, depending on the treatment option you choose. With Mosquito Joe, you’ll be able to say goodbye to unwanted pests in your yard and the irritation that comes with them. You can also try our perimeter pest control if you’ve had trouble with bugs in your home. Connect with us to learn more about our highly effective mosquito treatments and get your free estimate. Call Mosquito Joe today!

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Frequently Asked Questions About What Colors Attract Mosquitoes

Why are mosquitoes attracted to black?

Mosquitoes have a thing for black and other dark colors because those shades soak up heat and light, making you stand out more to them. Dark colors also create a stronger outline, which helps mosquitoes zero in on you once they’ve picked up on the CO2 you’re breathing out. In other words: dark clothes make it easier for mosquitoes to spot you — and harder for you to enjoy your time outside bite-free.

What color clothing is best for mosquitoes?

If you want to keep mosquitoes off your radar, stick with light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. Colors like white, beige, light gray, pale yellow, and pastels don’t catch a mosquito’s eye the way darker shades do. Lighter colors help reflect heat and light, making you less noticeable — and less tempting — to mosquitoes looking for their next bite.

How to be less attractive to mosquitoes

Try sticking to light-colored, loose clothes and cover up with socks and long sleeves when you can. Don’t forget the mosquito spray, light some citronella candles, and stay away from spots with standing water. For the best results, team these tricks up with a professional treatment from Mosquito Joe.

Why are mosquitoes so attracted to me?

It’s not just your imagination — some people really are mosquito magnets. Mosquitoes are drawn to things like body heat, the CO2 you breathe out, and even your natural scent. Dark clothing and time spent near standing water don’t help, either. The good news? You don’t have to change who you are — you just need a little help from Mosquito Joe.

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.