Why Are Some People Mosquito Magnets? 183
First time accepted submitter CherryLongman writes "If you feel as if every mosquito in a 50-mile radius has you locked in its sights, while your friends are rarely bitten, you could be right. Up to 20 percent of us are highly alluring to mosquitoes — and scientists have discovered some surprising reasons."
Summary of article in a few lines (Score:5, Informative)
So people here can stop guessing:
Mosquitos prefer blood type O
Most people secrete substances that allow mosquitoes to identify blood type before they bite.
Beer drinkers beware
Swigging just one bottle of beer can significantly boost your risk of being bitten
Watch out for the full moon
The tiny bloodsuckers are 500 times more active when the moon is full
Keep your socks on
The pungent aroma of dirty feet is apparently irresistible to mosquitoes
Mosquitos know if you're expecting
Moms-to-be get bitten about twice as often as women who aren't pregnant
Running won't help you
Both the carbon dioxide we exhale and substances in sweat, such as lactic acid, help mosquitoes home in on their prey.
Dark-colored clothing can increase your risk of falling victim
Like vampires, they prefer dark clothes