Why are mosquitoes drawn to certain people more than others?
Many factors that determine mosquito feeding behavoir are still not understood. However, these factors seem clear: Female mosquitoes use carbon dioxide as a primary cue to a person’s location. A host-seeking mosquito is guided to its skin by following the carbon dioxide emitted when a host exhales. Once they’ve landed, a number of short range attractants are used by the mosquito to determine if the host can provide an acceptable blood meal. Folic acid appears to be important in making this determination.
