Does blood type make some people mosquito magnets? What bug experts say

Evan Moore
·3 min read

It’s getting hotter in North Carolina, which means mosquitoes are out for blood.

Kristin Dodd, the manager of Carolina Pest Management, a Charlotte-based pest control company, told The Charlotte Observer last year that mosquito season in North Carolina begins “when the weather warms up and stays consistently warm.”

With temperatures in Charlotte expected to remain in the mid-80s for the next week, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service, research shows that those with a certain blood type may be more prone to mosquito bites.

Here’s what you need to know about mosquitoes in N.C., including who they are most likely to bite and how to manage them.

Who are mosquitoes likely to bite?

Research also shows that mosquitoes prefer type O blood, and they are less likely to feed on people with type AB blood.

Another study found that sweating during exercise may make humans more attractive to insects.

Only female mosquitoes bite humans, and they do it to get protein from blood to produce eggs, experts say.

Female mosquitoes have odor receptors that detect carbon dioxide and the scent of humans, meaning those who emit more carbon dioxide -- like people who are overweight or pregnant -- may be more susceptible to bites.

Where do mosquitoes live?

Some mosquitoes like living near people, while others prefer staying near bodies of water, where they lay their eggs.

“They can be found anywhere, but they need to successfully repopulate,” Dodd said. “Anywhere near standing water, there’s a potential to have a mosquito issue.”

How to keep mosquitoes away from your home

To keep mosquitoes from entering your home, Dodd said it’s important to empty items in your yard that can hold water, like birdbaths, containers and holes in your lawn.

“It’s important to do a walk-around of your home on a regular basis, especially after a rainfall, and see if there might be any sources of standing water,” said Dodd.

Dodd also suggested that homeowners use screens on their doors and windows and seal any holes that may be present.

What are the symptoms of a mosquito bite?

Some people may have a mild reaction to bites, while others can experience more severe symptoms, the CDC says.

According to the CDC, mosquito bite symptoms include:

  • A puffy and reddish bump develops on the skin a few minutes after the bite.

  • A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump appears a day after a bite.

  • Small blisters on the skin.

  • Dark spots that look like bruises.

How to protect against mosquito bites

The CDC recommends the use of Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellents to deter mosquitoes, with at least one of these active ingredients:

  • DEET

  • Picaridin

  • IR3535

  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus

  • Para-menthol-diol

  • 2-undecanone

Here are some other tips on how to avoid mosquito bites from the CDC:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.

  • Treat your clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin, an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.

  • Cover strollers with mosquito netting.