Washington, July 21 (ANI): For years scientists and researchers have had trouble explaining the reason behind mosquitoes' preference to choose one person while ignoring the others.
Scientists have given their own reasons as to why mosquitoes bite some people more than others.
According to Jerry Butler, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Florida, mosquitoes get attracted to cholesterol and steroids on the surface of skin, the Washington Times reported.
He said that people with a more efficient metabolism could have a higher cholesterol concentration on the surface of their skin- not their blood- than others, thereby attracting more bites.
Joe Conlon, PhD, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association, said that any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance.
Some scientists believe that exercise attracts mosquitoes, as they use movement as well as body temperature to track victims, both of which increase during exercise, along with carbon dioxide production.
Additionally, some scientists also think that the lactic acid secreted when exercising makes an appealing meal for mosquitoes.
Scientists have also theorized that some mosquitoes are attracted to smell.
Certain species of mosquito are attracted to smelly feet, American Mosquito Control Association, said.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, boozing attracts mosquitoes.
Another study in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that mosquitoes are likelier to attack people, who have type O blood. (ANI)