Mosquito Joe explores how mosquitoes are attracted to certain blood types.
|
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? Many people wonder if there is a favorite blood type for mosquitoes, or if certain people are just naturally mosquito magnets.
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.
Related Topic: Why Do Mosquitoes Suck Blood?
Mosquitoes and Blood Type—What the Research Says
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.
After crunching the numbers, researchers concluded that mosquitoes do indeed have a preferred blood type. What blood type do mosquitoes like? The nasty biters show a marked preference for feeding on type O blood. So, if you’ve ever asked, “do mosquitoes like type O blood,” research shows the answer is yes. . (O, what a bummer!) That explains why a mosquito who bites you once, often bites you again (going back for seconds). But why do mosquitoes bite you in the first place? 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 reallylike are secretors with blood type O. Type B is another favored blood type that attracts mosquitoes, though to a lesser degree than type O.
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 remains unanswered, though there are indications that additional factors other than blood type are involved in the attraction of mosquitoes.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
So, why do mosquitoes bite anyone? We know that only female mosquitoes bite people, and they do so to drink our blood. The blood meal provides essential nutrients for growing eggs and reproduction. 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 why mosquitoes bite certain people. It is a key consideration to aid efforts to control outbreaks of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus.
So, let’s see what other than your blood type can make you attract mosquitoes and get bitten more than your friends. Some of this information will help you avoid getting bitten, even if your blood is of the tasty type O variety.
Mosquitoes and Blood Type
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. But why exactly is O the favorite blood type for mosquitoes? It’s a great question, but unfortunately, we don’t have a definitive answer yet.
At this point, scientists aren’t 100% sure why mosquitoes like type O blood. Some believe it has to do with which blood type was dominant in the region where a mosquito species evolved. For instance, Ae. aegyptiis believed to have evolved in Africa, where type O is the most prevalent blood type. Meanwhile, Ae. albopictus originated in Asia, with pockets of population higher in people with type A blood. Interestingly, Ae. albopictus doesn’t appear to have a preferred blood type.
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, what’s going on? We’re not sure, but it does raise more questions.
What Blood Type Do Mosquitoes NOT Like?
We’ve explored the question, “Do mosquitoes like type O blood?” and the evidence points to yes. However, it’s also worth considering if there’s a blood type that doesn’t attract mosquitoes. In other words, what blood type do mosquitoes not like?
It turns out that of all blood types people have, mosquitoes like type A the least. But if the proteins in different blood types don’t affect the eggs, why does the female care?
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.
Considering that the biters might be trying to avoid the proteins of type A blood, scientists isolated the antigens. While the antigens of blood type O were more attractive than others, type A antigens were more attractive than those of blood type B or AB. So, asking, “What blood type do mosquitoes like and dislike?” just leads to more questions.
As fascinating as the mosquitoes and blood type questions are, remember that there are many other factors influencing why mosquitoes bite. The question “do mosquitoes like type O blood” comes up a lot, and while there is evidence they bite type O more often, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Mosquitoes also track carbon dioxide, moisture, and body heat.
How To Prevent Mosquito Bites
Now that you know what blood type mosquitoes like most and the many reasons why mosquitoes bite certain people more than others, how can you protect yourself? When you are prone to mosquito bites, preventing them takes a multipronged approach that includes the following:
- Keeping the yard well-maintained.
- Removing all sources of standing water.
- Avoiding floral-scented perfumes and lotion when attending outdoor events.
- Lighting citronella candles and torches.
- Hiring professional mosquito control services.
Stay Bite-Free With Mosquito Joe!
Mosquito Joe is dedicated to reclaiming your outdoor spaces for bite-free family fun. Our comprehensive pest control services are available across the country and include barrier treatments, mosquito misting services, 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 guarantee, which ensures your satisfaction. Request a free quote today!
Let us make the outdoors fun again for everyone!
