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What Attracts Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes look for areas with stagnant water to reproduce by. This means pools, playsets, ponds, marshes, and more areas that could be on your property.

When looking to feed, mosquitoes are drawn toward your blood, your scent, your breath, and your blood type. There is still some mystery as to why mosquitoes prefer some people over others. What we do know is that mosquitoes will gladly feed when they have the chance.

What attracts mosquitoes in Eastern and Central Virginia - Loyal Termite & Pest Control

Why Are There Mosquitoes in My Yard?

Mosquitoes look for areas with standing water. In the spring and summer in Virginia, mosquitoes might be drawn to a few different places around your house. You’ll often find mosquitoes hanging around near pools, spas, birdbaths, gardens, ponds, playsets, gutters, and more. They’ll lay their eggs on just about any still water that they can find. Mosquitoes thrive in the warmer seasons of the year, so after April, you’ll probably see an increase in their numbers around your yard.

What Makes Humans Attractive to Mosquitoes?

Whether you know a “mosquito magnet” or you can’t avoid their bites yourself, we are all unsure about exactly what attracts mosquitoes to certain humans as opposed to others. There are three main things that attract mosquitoes: 

  1. Breath. Female mosquitoes possess specialized organs to detect certain odors. These parts are designed to detect carbon dioxide, which is released in humans’ breath. Mosquitoes can locate a source of carbon dioxide from over 150 feet away. 
  2. Blood. We all have blood, and this is the one thing that fuels mosquito reproduction worldwide. Mosquitoes pierce our skin with their proboscis to draw our blood. Research has shown that people with Type O blood could be more likely to be bit than people with Type A. Scientists also agree that genetic make-up plays a role in many of the factors that make people prone to mosquito bites.
  3. Scent. Substances like uric acid, lactic acid, and ammonia released from glands in our skin release scents that are attractive to mosquitoes. People with a higher internal temperature or those who perspire more often are attractive to mosquitoes. Even floral scents applied to the body can be attractive to mosquitoes.

What Attracts Mosquitoes in Eastern and Central Virginia?

If your yard has become home to throngs of mosquitoes and someone in your family is super susceptible to bites, mosquito season can become very frustrating. Always reach out to a mosquito exterminator for help decreasing the likelihood of a mosquito outbreak before the season starts.

What Attracts Mosquitoes? in Virginia

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