Mosquitoes hate me!

Why is that? I can't really complain, but it has been like that all my life. Last weekend we were up in the mountains, and my daughter came home with about a dozen mosquito bites. I had none. She was wearing jeans, I was wearing shorts. She even had bites on her legs, so obviously they were so tempted by her blood that they somehow went through her jeans, while they left my bare legs alone.

Okay, jokes about my not being sweet enough and whatever are very welcome, I truly enjoy the humor. But I really would like to understand why, so please make sure there are at least a few plausible answers amongst the jabs. I feel like I am either superior, or damaged goods.

"People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes," Butler tells WebMD. That doesn't necessarily mean that mosquitoes prey on people with higher overall levels of cholesterol, Butler explains. These people simply may be more efficient at processing cholesterol, the byproducts of which remain on the skin's surface.

Mosquitoes also target people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid, explains entomologist John Edman, PhD, spokesman for the Entomological Society of America. These substances can trigger mosquitoes' sense of smell, luring them to land on unsuspecting victims.

But the process of attraction begins long before the landing. Mosquitoes can smell their dinner from an impressive distance of up to 50 meters, explains Edman. This doesn't bode well for people who emit large quantities of carbon dioxide.

"Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance," Conlon says. Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide, which is why mosquitoes typically prefer munching on adults to small children. Pregnant women are also at increased risk, as they produce a greater-than-normal amount of exhaled carbon dioxide. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes.

So if you want to avoid an onslaught of mosquito bites at your next outdoor gathering, stake out a chaise lounge rather than a spot on the volleyball team. Here's why. As you run around the volleyball court, the mosquitoes sense your movement and head toward you. When you pant from exertion, the smell of carbon dioxide from your heavy breathing draws them closer. So does the lactic acid from your sweat glands. And then -- gotcha.

It is said that if you eat bananas, you will attract mosquitoes, whereas if you eat garlic you will repel them. While your pores can emit scents, no studies suggest these attract or repel mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and strong fragrances from soaps, lotions, deodorants, hair care products and perfumes.

Mosquitoes don't hate you, they just really like your daughter.

Why is that? I can't really complain, but it has been like that all my life. Last weekend we were up in the mountains, and my daughter came home with about a dozen mosquito bites. I had none. She was wearing jeans, I was wearing shorts. She even had bites on her legs, so obviously they were so tempted by her blood that they somehow went through her jeans, while they left my bare legs alone.

Okay, jokes about my not being sweet enough and whatever are very welcome, I truly enjoy the humor. But I really would like to understand why, so please make sure there are at least a few plausible answers amongst the jabs. I feel like I am either superior, or damaged goods.

Mosquitoes don't hate you, they just really like your daughter.


http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/...repellent.html

Yeah, its carbon dioxide and sweat.

Of course, all the mosquitoes that bite are females....

Why is that? I can't really complain, but it has been like that all my life. Last weekend we were up in the mountains, and my daughter came home with about a dozen mosquito bites. I had none. She was wearing jeans, I was wearing shorts. She even had bites on her legs, so obviously they were so tempted by her blood that they somehow went through her jeans, while they left my bare legs alone.

Okay, jokes about my not being sweet enough and whatever are very welcome, I truly enjoy the humor. But I really would like to understand why, so please make sure there are at least a few plausible answers amongst the jabs. I feel like I am either superior, or damaged goods.

Wow Janus, I never thought of it like that. I definitely DO get bitten at times (and the itchy bumps), but not at the rate that others do. Do you never get the itchy bump?