The findings of a new study showing that certain humans are noticeably more attractive to mosquitoes than others were published in Scientific American on Tuesday. A total of 64 people were surveyed for this study, and it was shown that a person’s body odor significantly influences whether or not a mosquito will bite them.
Scientists found a pattern in the chemical components that make up a human’s unique smell signature. Those whose skin produced more carboxylic acid than others were much more attractive to mosquitoes. To test the effects of nylon sleeve wear on human subjects, researchers had eight volunteers wear them for six hours.
Nylon swatches worn by each subject in a series of studies were randomly assigned to one of two boxes; the other box contained fabric worn by a different person. A third box was connected to the first two through a tunnel. Carriers of serious diseases including yellow fever and Zika were housed in this box of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The researchers analyzed which of the two boxes drew more mosquitoes by examining different fabric combinations. To ensure the reliability of their results, they conducted the experiment repeatedly over the course of several months.
“Mosquito magnets,” as the study’s participants were dubbed, wore nylon that attracted the most insects because it was coated in carboxylic acids. Carboxylic acids are created by skin bacteria from sebum, another skin substance. The winner in this category was around one hundred times more mosquito-attractive than the loser. Different people create more or less of these fatty molecules, which serve as a natural moisturizing layer on the skin. The skin’s beneficial microorganisms digest these acids, contributing to the skin’s natural odor.
The study also found that acid production remained constant throughout time, regardless of the participants’ dietary or lifestyle changes. The bad news is that once mosquitoes take a liking to you, they won’t change their minds.