If you’ve ever been at an outdoor party or BBQ during the fading hours of daylight and don’t personally notice an increase in the number of mosquitoes, you’ll probably hear someone complaining about it. That’s because mosquitoes are selective insects, and some people are more likely to get bites than others.
There are a few factors that could contribute to why this happens: In one controlled study by the Journal of Medical Entomology, the bugs landed on people with blood Type O nearly twice as frequently as those with Type A. The researchers noted this has to do with secretions we produce, which tips mosquitoes off on a person’s blood type.
9 PHOTOSPlants that keep mosquitoes awaySee GalleryPlants that keep mosquitoes away
Lemon Balm
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Basil
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Sage and Rosemary
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Lavender
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Marigold
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Scented Geranium
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More research needs to be conducted on mosquitoes’ potential preference for certain blood types over others, said Jonathan F. Day, an entomology professor at the University of Florida. But he agreed that mosquitoes do pick up on some cues we give off that make the bugs more likely to land on certain people.
“These cues let them know they are going to a blood source,” Day said. “Perhaps CO2 is the most important. The amount of CO2 you produce, like people with high metabolic rates ― genetic, other factors ― increases the amount of carbon dioxide you give off. The more you give off, the more attractive you are to these arthropods.”
But what separates us from the nonliving entities that give off carbon dioxide, like cars? Mosquitoes look for primary cues in conjunction with what Day calls “secondary cues.”
Lactic acid — the stuff that causes our muscles to cramp during exercise — is one of those secondary cues, for example. Lactic acid is released through the skin, signaling to mosquitoes that we are a target, Day said.
Mosquitoes also have other qualities that help them pick up on secondary cues.
“Mosquitoes have excellent vision, but they fly close to the ground to stay out of the wind,” Day said. “They are able to contrast you with the horizon, so how you’re dressed matters. If you have on dark clothes, you are going to attract more because you’ll stand out from the horizon, whereas those wearing light colors won’t as much.”
A mosquito also takes in “tactile cues” once it has landed on you.
“Body heat is a really important tactile cue,” Day said. “That comes into play with genetic differences or physiological differences. Some people tend to run a little warmer — when they land, they’re looking for a place where blood is close to the skin.” That means those whose temperatures are a little higher are more likely to get the bite.
Lifestyle or other health factors may also play a role, said Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic.
“If body temperature is higher, you’re exercising and moving around a lot, or if you’re drinking alcohol, you are more attractive to mosquitoes,” Piliang said. “Being pregnant or being overweight also increases metabolic rate.”
5 PHOTOSTop 5 cities for mosquitoesSee GalleryTop 5 cities for mosquitoes
5. Houston, Texas
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2. Chicago, Illinois
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1. Atlanta, Georgia
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One study showed that people who consumed just one can of beer were more at risk of attracting mosquitoes than those who didn’t. Of course, drinking outside is a popular summer and fall activity.
“If you’ve been moving around all day doing yardwork and then you stop around dusk and drink a beer on your patio, you’re definitely at risk of bites,” Piliang said.
How To Prevent Mosquito Bites
Just because you might be more prone to bites doesn’t mean they have to be an inevitability.
“One of the very best things to do is to avoid peak activity times [for mosquitoes],” Day said. “There are very, very few species that are active in the middle of the day. They are very selective. Sunrise and sunset are when you’ll see peak activity.” Switching your early morning run to an after-work run could help here.
Of course, this tip won’t help you if you’re, say, throwing a BBQ for friends later at night. Try to cover as much skin as you can in these cases, Day said, especially in areas or at times mosquitoes are most likely to be present.
“I love the fishing shirts and the long-legged outdoor pants that are breathable, but they prevent mosquitoes,” Day said. “A repellant that has a good protection time ― defined as the time from when you apply to when you get the first bite ― is also great. Roughly 5% DEET sprays gives you 90 minutes of complete coverage.”
DEET is a common ingredient in insect repellents, and sprays with DEET are probably the way to go if you know you’re at risk of bites, Piliang said. Despite the controversy over the health effects of DEET, a 2014 review by the Environmental Protection Agency re-concluded that normal use of DEET products does not pose a risk to one’s health, including children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women.
10 PHOTOS9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes See Gallery9 Foods That Make You Tastier to Mosquitoes 
Learn which 9 foods make you more appetizing to mosquitos!
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Beer
What’s a cookout without a cold one (or two)? There’s always a cooler full to the brim with ice-cold beers at backyard barbeques. A few Heinekens can give you a buzz, but even a single beer can make you a target for mosquitos. Scientists are not exactly sure why mosquitos go for beer drinkers, but they don’t think it has anything to do with the increase in ethanol in the bloodstream or the heightened body temperature caused by beer consumption. Like us humans, mosquitos may just like the taste of a good brew.
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Potassium-rich foods
Bloodsucking mosquitos are extremely attracted to lactic acid. Too bad lactic acid is constantly naturally released by our bodies, making us prime snacks. Eating potassium-rich foods, however, increases the amount of lactic acid you give off through your skin. Bananas, potatoes, prunes, raisins, lima beans, avocados, and spinach are full of potassium, so snacking on these makes you even tastier to the invasive insects. Well, there goes guacamole!
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Salty Snacks
Wiping salty potato chip crumbs on bright beach towels or on denim cutoffs while enjoying the sun is a typical summertime occurrence. Little did you know, eating a high-sodium diet also increases the amount of lactic acid you produce, and more lactic acid means more mosquito bites. Filling up on salty snacks like crispy chips, hot curly fries, roasted peanuts, or even that bacon on your burger, will make you that much more delicious to mosquitos.
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Sweets
Often picnic tables are piled high with tart cherry pies, melty ice cream cakes and sugary candies to celebrate summer. As much as we love these tasty desserts and sweet things, they have a saccharine aroma that is very attractive to most animals, mosquitos included. Not only will the sweets attract sweet–toothed friends and family, they will also act as magnets for bugs and mosquitos.
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Alcohol
A refreshing cocktail or mixed drink will definitely cool you down at an outdoor gathering, but scientists think those who drink alcohol are more likely to attract mosquitos. Not only are they sweet-smelling beverages, the alcohol increases your body temperature, which makes you a target for the little blood-suckers because they are drawn to people with warmer blood. A frozen daiquiri or white sangria sounds super good — until a pesky mosquito bites you.
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High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is not only a health hazard, but having a higher level of cholesterol in your blood increases your appeal to mosquitos. It is always important to lower your bad cholesterol if it is too high and recommended by your doctor. Eating more fruits and veggies, and opting for lean meats can help to lower cholesterol levels. Just think of it as killing two birds with one stone.
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Limburger Cheese
Chomping on Limburger cheese will transform you into a gigantic neon “Eat Me” sign for mosquitos. This variety of cheese is made with the same bacteria that cause feet to stink. This is a super bonus for mosquitos because they love smelly feet. Well that stinks!
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Pickled Vegetables
Picture a perfectly charred hot dog crowned with a heavy dose of tangy sauerkraut, tasty ketchup, and sweet pickle relish. But that sauerkraut and pickle relish can be your downfall. Pickled veggies contain lactic acid, therefore they attract those dreaded mosquitos. Kimchi is another condiment that makes human blood a little sweeter to mosquitos. Maybe a bare hot dog doesn’t taste as bad as itchy bites feel.
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Dairy Products
So many delectable summer favorites, like sweet strawberry ice cream, coconut froyo, delicious Redi-Whip, and layered parfaits, are dairy-based. Unfortunately, these desserts and other dairy goods cause the body to produce lactic acid, which reels in the mosquitos. Guess that means we’ll have eat our ice cream inside to avoid those biting bugs.
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“DEET is the most effective,” Piliang said. “If you are going to be in a mosquito-prone place, knowing that they carry disease, it is your best bet. Take a shower later to wash it off, and put on just a little bit.” Always read the directions on a spray before using it, and help children apply products by following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
And while you may have heard that candles containing natural repellents like citronella oil can be useful, there is no research to support it yet. Instead, keep the fan on or hang out in a breezy area.
“Mosquitoes can’t get around very much,” especially in wind, Piliang said. “You can run a fan to keep air moving.”
If you do end up with a bite, you may or may not be bothered. “This all depends on how allergic you are to the chemicals in the saliva of the mosquito, and that can vary based on the type of the mosquito or how reactive you and your skin are to things in the environment,” Piliang said.
If it is itchy, the worst possible thing you can do is scratch it.
“If you do, then more histamine is released and it gets itchier,” she said. “If you scratch it, you’re also more likely to break skin. You can get bleeding, scabs and put yourself at risk for infection and scarring.”
But there are a few simple things you can do to alleviate the itch, like putting an ice cube on it. “The sensation of cold travels on the same nerve as itch, so you cannot feel both at the same time,” Piliang said. “Even a drink with ice on it will help relieve itch immediately.”
If you’ve received several bites after a morning or evening outside, she also recommended over-the-counter anti-itch creams with a mild topical steroid like hydrocortisone. “You can apply that two to three times a day to reduce itch,” she said.
10 PHOTOSFoods That Attract BugsSee GalleryFoods That Attract Bugs
Keep ants, flies and other unwanted pests away from your outdoor soiree by avoiding or carefully packing these much “bee”-loved picnic foods.
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Fruit Salad
Insects are attracted to sweet tastes and smells, so any cut fruit or ripe fruit will attract them. Overly ripe fruit undergoes mild fermentation, another thing bugs go crazy over.
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Burgers, Hot Dogs and other Meats
Some insects, like wasps, have an appetite for meat and will bombard your hamburgers and hot dogs.
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Vegetables
Many insects enjoy munching on vegetables, but select items like garlic and onions are known to be natural bug repellants for some species.
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Fish
Insects quickly pick up on strong smells like pungent fish dishes.
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Soda, Juice and Other Sugary Beverages
Sweet drinks have the sugar factor that insects seek. A common problem picnic-goers experience is discovering bugs inside their soda cans or bottles. Prevent this unwanted surprise by covering opened cans with plastic wrap or foil and sipping with straws.
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Pickled Vegetables
Fermented foods like pickled vegetables make excellent bug bait.
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Beer, Wine and Hard Alcohol
Alcohol contains sugar which insects also enjoy.
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Candy and Dessert
Besides the risk of melting or going bad under the sun, sweet candy and desserts like cakes, pies and pudding are big targets for insect invasions.
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Garbage
Your food scraps will attract pests, so keep it away from your picnic location and properly dispose of it afterward.
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“And the last thing you can do if you’re really bit up is take an antihistamine,” she added. “It can counteract the reaction a bit.” While OTC types that make you drowsy — like Benadryl — are more common, you can take nondrowsy antihistamines like Zyrtec or Allegra for daytime relief.
Of course, prevention is always better than treatment, so use these tips to stave off bites in the first place as you head out for the season’s remaining BBQs and tailgates.
- This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
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