Why do some people get bitten by mosquitoes more than other people?

I’ve heard that it is up to 85% genetic.
Also that they are attracted to carbon dioxide, so if you are pregnant, overweight, running around, or smoking you increase your odds of being bitten. There is also a connection to high concentrations of uric acid and how attractive you are to mosquitoes.

My grandma always told me that I was just sweet.

If you just took a shower and washed your hair, mosquitoes will swarm towards you, because there’s nothing to block out the smell of blood. If you’re crusty and dirty, the smell (I say smell, but it’s not exactly the same for a skeeter, but similar enough) is masked by the latter and they have a harder time locating you. Likewise, if you’re dirty enough to actually be slightly covered in a crust of dirt, sweat and other filth, they have a hard time biting through that shell.
In times gone by, people who made their living in the woods, such as lumberjacks, or voyageurs often did it on purpose to be dirty as to not be bothered by these tiny little demons.

Or so I’ve heard. I like @ANef_is_Enuf ‘s answer better.

Here is an interesting article on the subject. It pretty much expands on everything @ANef_is_Enuf said.

Exactly what @ANef_is_Enuf said. Also the color clothes you wear attracts mosquitoes. Mosquitoes seem to go for dark clothing, men because they have a larger body surface, produce more CO2, heat from their larger bodies, etc.

I’m one of those unfortunate few that mosquitoes seem to hunger for. :(

Haha my XXX wife always drew a crowd of mosquitos, gnats, and I even saw a cockroach or two crawl across her path. That’s the biggest thing I miss about her. With all the crap she put into her hair, she turned out to be the best no pest strip that anyone could ask for.

I used to go around with a “Mosquito Food” sign around my neck, and my bites would swell up to be great red bumps. In the few last years I have noticed that either I dont taste as good, or I’m not as allergic as I used to be. I get very few bites, and the ones I do get don’t swell. I have NO complaints!

Some of us are just yummy, I guess, @jca . @SpatzieLover and I having been bemoaning our high ratings in the Buggy Zagat Guide, and quitting smoking made me yummier (Sorry, @ANef_is_Enuf ). Good article, @kheredia . Mostly I just cover myself in toxic waste and pray.

It’s okay, I have to agree that you are irresistable. :)

Your question has merit. Wife and I can stand outside at sundown and the mosquitos attack her and not me.

I tell her this happens, because she does not have indian blood in her and I do.

depends on how hot you are ;)

It is not the colour of our dress but the odour of our body which attracts those lovely creatures.