Study identifies two surprising reasons mosquitoes prefer some people

A recent study has uncovered why mosquitoes are attracted to some people more than others.

The research, conducted in Miami, Florida, found that skin bacteria and body odor are the primary reasons some individuals are bitten repeatedly by mosquitoes, while others are largely ignored, according to Russia Today.

Researchers used a single-port olfactometer to measure the scent emitted by participants. At the other end of the tube, they placed three different mosquito species: Aedes aegypti (the dengue fever carrier), Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito), and Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito).

Volunteers wore nylon sleeves on their arms overnight to absorb and trap skin odors for later analysis.

The team compared volunteers who were more and less attractive to various mosquito species, finding that Aedes aegypti showed a slight preference for male participants.

Aedes albopictus was drawn to people with specific odors, such as ketone compounds.

Researchers discovered that skin bacteria feed on sweat and natural body oils, converting them into particular scents that mosquitoes can easily detect.

The study's findings could lead to innovative mosquito control methods, such as altering skin bacteria or developing natural repellents, instead of relying on traditional chemical agents.