Mosquitoes, like most insects, are attracted to what they need to survive: food, water, and shelter. Female mosquitoes require the blood of a host for reproduction, so they are drawn to signals that indicate where their prey is.
CO2
Primary Attractant
Type O
Preferred Blood Type
Sunrise/Sunset
Peak Feeding Times
Optimal Conditions for Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes prefer warm and humid environments. They cannot survive in cold temperatures, dying off or becoming dormant in winter.
Mosquito Season
Starts when temperatures climb in late spring and ends when temperatures dip in fall.
Peak Feeding Times
Prefer sunrise and sunset when temperatures are optimal, avoiding extreme daytime heat.
What Attracts Mosquitoes to Certain People
If mosquitoes can sense your presence, they will be attracted to these signals:
Carbon Dioxide
Mosquitoes evolved to track CO2 released by humans/animals. Heavy breathing from activity draws them in.
Sweat & Pheromones
Drawn to floral scents in soaps, deodorants, perfumes, plus lactic acid, ammonia, and urea in sweat.
Body Temperature
Use body heat to find meals. Their eyes evolved to detect thermal sensory information.
Food & Drink
Foods you eat impact body odor. Alcohol makes your blood especially appealing to mosquitoes.
Dark Clothing
Attracted to bold and dark colors. Thin, tight-fitted clothing does not protect against bites.
Pregnant Women
Higher likelihood of increased body temperatures and respiration makes them targets.
Type O Blood
Prefer certain blood types over others. Type O is particularly attractive to mosquitoes.
Skin Microbiomes
Certain microbes on healthy skin make people less attractive. Those without are more likely to attract mosquitoes.
High Risk: People who exercise outside are particularly appealing since they breathe heavily, increase core temperature, and sweat profusely, making them easy to locate from a distance.
Mosquitoes Targeting Your Family?
Professional mosquito control reduces populations on your property.
Call (866) 326-2847What Attracts Mosquitoes to Your Home & Yard
Mosquitoes will find their way onto your property if the right conditions exist:
Standing Water
Females need ponds, bird baths, and any standing water to lay eggs and continue the life cycle.
Dense Foliage
Adults hide in bushes, shrubs, and overgrowth protected from daytime heat and nighttime predators like bats.
Flowers & Fruit Trees
Male mosquitoes are attracted to nectar from flowering plants (males do not bite, only females need blood for eggs).
How to Minimize Mosquitoes
Make these changes to get rid of mosquitoes through prevention and mitigation:
Reduce standing/stagnant water or treat with growth regulators
Add beneficial animals and bacteria to standing water
Plant natural mosquito-deterring plants to offset attractants
Clear ground debris: dead leaves, branches, organic material
Keep grass, bushes, shrubs, and trees trimmed for sunlight
Keep gutters and drains clear to prevent puddles
Call EcoGuard for Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes are persistent and can cause serious problems as carriers of mosquito-borne diseases. If mosquitoes are becoming a problem, contact a professional mosquito control expert to inspect your property for problematic areas and active populations. Our licensed experts will devise a plan to effectively treat against your mosquito problem.
Mosquito Attractant FAQs
What are 3 things that attract mosquitoes?
Food, water, and shelter. Mosquitoes search for standing water to lay eggs, humans to feed on, and dense foliage that protects them from wind and elements.
What scents are mosquitoes attracted to?
Mosquitoes are drawn to CO2 released during respiration, lactic acid and chemicals released when humans sweat, and nectar from flowering plants.
What do mosquitoes stay away from?
The most effective repellent is DEET, recommended by the CDC. Other scents they avoid include citronella, peppermint, basil, and other herbs.
From Our Blog
