Which Blood Type is Most Attractive to Mosquitoes?
We all know someone. The person who becomes a feast at every summer barbeque. The mosquito magnet who sprints from the front door to the car because any more than 10 seconds outside leads to an itchy bite. The unfortunate soul who cannot escape insects, even during the winter. Maybe this is your fate, your child’s or that of another loved one – but is it random, or does it boil down to science?
We had a debate in our office and set out to discover which blood type mosquitoes find the most delicious, since more than a few of us seem to be tasty snacks. Thankfully, we found research from scientists who already put in the work for us.
One controlled study by the Journal of Medical Entomology1 observed the landing preference of mosquitoes on humans of various blood types. An earlier study published in Nature2 took it a step further and tested their feeding preferences by the number of bites for each group.
Though the methods varied, the results all pointed to one blood type: O is the most appetizing. Mosquitoes landed or fed on people with Type O blood nearly twice as often as those with Type A. Those with Type B blood were a second favorite treat.
Does that mean people with Type A are in the clear? No way, as many of you can probably attest. Approximately 80 percent of humans secrete sugars related to their blood type, so the study from the Journal of Medical Entomology also tested whether “secretors” influenced the arthropods’ (mosquitoes’) preferences. Researchers concluded that mosquitoes are more attracted to secretors than nonsecretors.
While we learned blood type does play a role, science shows it is not the only factor. Metabolic rate, lactic acid, acetone (found in your breath) and other chemicals humans naturally release affect the attraction. Extra body heat, movement and dark colors can also entice these pesky creatures.
Just like some people seem to be tastier to mosquitoes, others may release chemicals on their skin that repel bugs (how do we get some of those?!), which is another reason pests bother some people more than others.
If you are type O, or another member of the unlucky mosquito magnet crew, we may not be able to stop the bugs from attacking you, but we can ease the aftermath of their attacks. The Bug Bite Thing suction tool painlessly removes insect saliva and venom to eliminate the itching, stinging and swelling that comes as a result of bites and stings. It is especially helpful for the people who have the double whammy of genetics: mosquito-attracting blood and an extra-sensitive immune response to insect saliva that leads to larger welts.
Does your blood type seem to match up with the results of this research? Share your experience in the comments.
References:
1. Yoshikazu Shirai, Hisashi Funada, Hisao Takizawa, Taisuke Seki, Masaaki Morohashi, Kiyoshi Kamimura, Landing Preference of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) on Human Skin Among ABO Blood Groups, Secretors or Nonsecretors, and ABH Antigens , Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 41, Issue 4, 1 July 2004, Pages 796–799, https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585-41.4.796.
2. WOOD, C., HARRISON, G., DORÉ, C. et al. Selective Feeding of Anopheles gambiae according to ABO Blood Group Status. Nature 239, 165 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/239165a0.
I have been plagued by mosquitoes my whole life. I’m that person you want walking next to you through the woods. Lol. I’ve tried everything. oh my goodness I feel like I have found a miracle in this tool. I use it daily. Unfortunately I’m not kidding. I bought three of them I’ve got them placed all over the house I won’t even share them. My mother and sister have bought some recently and they are working great for them as well! This suction cup tool seems too good to be true. But it really, really does work! So grateful.
I live in Anaheim, California, last year many of us noticed a new type of mosquito, very aggressive with bites that are so painful and itchy. Last year, I couldn’t even sleep. I tried everything from the drug store, home remedies and soaking baths. Nothing stopped the itch.
This year I tried the Bug Bite Thing. First couple of times not much help but I re-read the instructions and got the suction going. I would do it a couple of times on each bite and the itching would stop. The next morning they may be itchy again but I used the bug bite thing again a couple of times and it worked.
I was telling my adult daughter about it and she just rolled her eyes at me, until she got a really nasty bite. She loved it so much that she ordered one that day.
Every time I see a post about problems with mosquito bites, I jump in and tell them about The Bug Bite Thing. It’s an amazing product!
Nope. I am type A+ (supposedly the last in line of bites) – I am ALWAYS the first to get bit, and by lots of bugs.
I am that unlucky person that all the bugs swarm to. I’ll be on a walk with another person or sitting at a park bench and whomever I’m with won’t have a single disturbance while I’m flailing and swatting at all the bugs swarming me. I do have the beloved blood type O BUT so does my husband and he’s one that can sit next to me on the park bench and not have a single bug notice him. Why?!?! 😭😭😭 Additionally my child is highly allergic to mosquitoes (like take her to the ER multiple times due to the severity of her reactions) luckily she got her daddy’s blood type A so they don’t swarm her like they do me, but when they do bite, watch out! 😒😔
I am type O and mosquitoes don’t like me. My daughter is also type O and she will get 10 bites while I’m standing next to her and I won’t get a single one. Any other theories?
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