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What Attracts Mosquitoes?

If you’ve found yourself with a mosquito problem right in your backyard, you may be wondering what attracted them there in the first place. When reproducing, mosquitoes are attracted to areas that provide them with still and stagnant water. This means ponds, marshes, pools, playsets, and more areas that could be right in your backyard.

When it comes to feeding, mosquitoes are attracted to your blood, your breath, your scent, and even your blood type! These factors may be behind why some individuals are more prone to mosquito bites than others.

Where Did the Mosquitoes in My Yard Come From?

Your yard may be more attractive to mosquitoes than you want to believe. In the spring and summer in East Tennessee, mosquitoes will be drawn to a number of areas in your yard. Usually, mosquitoes can be found near bird baths, gardens, ponds, playsets, gutters, pools, spas, and more. If they are able to locate standing water, they will happily use it to lay their eggs within. Mosquitoes are especially abundant in the warmer parts of the year, which is when you may see an increase in their activity in your yard.

What Makes Someone a Magnet For Mosquitoes?

Whether you know someone who is prone to mosquito bites or deal with them yourself, there is an air of mystery around what attracts mosquitoes to certain humans more than others. The main three factors that contribute to mosquitoes being attracted to an individual include:

  1. Breath. Female mosquitoes possess long antennae and organs that are able to sense odor. These parts are attuned to carbon dioxide, which is produced when someone exhales. A high concentration of carbon dioxide can be detected by mosquitoes more than 150 feet away. This accounts for the initial attraction to humans nearby.
  2. Blood. We all possess the one thing mosquitoes need to survive: blood! Mosquitoes use their piercing proboscis to pierce our skin and suck the blood up. But are mosquitoes more attracted to people based on blood type? Researchers have demonstrated that, yes, individuals with Type O blood may be more susceptible to bites than those with Type A. In addition, scientists have concluded that genetic make-up can account for many of the factors that make someone more prone to mosquito bites.
  3. Scent. Science has suggested that mosquitoes are more attracted to certain scents. Substances like uric acid, lactic acid, and ammonia released from the glands in your skin can attract mosquitoes. Those that have a higher body temperature or perspire more often are attractive to mosquitoes. Even floral fragrances and perfumes worn can be attractive to these insects.

What Attracts Mosquitoes in East Tennessee?

If mosquitoes become attracted to your yard, it can be relentless trying to get rid of them. For this reason, it’s important to learn to prevent them in the first place. Always contact a mosquito exterminator for help making your yard less attractive to mosquitoes before mosquito season each year.

What Attracts Mosquitoes in Sevierville TN?

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