Why Mosquitoes Bite You (and Not Your Brother-in-Law)

Let’s set the scene we’ve all lived through in Monmouth, Middlesex, or Morris County:

You’re at a backyard party in Freehold. The burgers are perfect, the kids are running wild, and Aunt Karen is wearing white pants like she’s never met a mosquito in her life. Everyone is fine… except you. You’re doing the Jersey Mosquito Dance — arms flailing, legs slapping, looking like you’re auditioning for a bad TikTok.

Meanwhile, your brother-in-law hasn’t gotten a single bite. He’s just standing there, sipping a beer, mocking you.

It’s not fair. It’s not random. And it’s definitely not in your head.

1. You’re basically a human CO₂ factory

Picture a mosquito as a tiny, blood-sucking drone with carbon-dioxide sensors. The second you exhale, they lock on — sometimes from shockingly far away. Pregnant? Playing pickleball? Chasing your toddler around the yard? Congratulations — you just turned on the “OPEN” sign for every mosquito in Central Jersey.

2. Your sweat smells like mosquito perfume

Your skin produces a mix of compounds when you sweat (including lactic acid and other natural skin odors). To a mosquito, that combo can smell like a five-star buffet. Some people naturally produce more — or a more attractive “blend” — because of genetics and the bacteria living on their skin.

Fun fact: Identical twins often get bitten at almost identical rates. Fraternal twins? Total lottery.

3. You have Type O blood (sorry, it’s science)

Research has repeatedly found that people with Type O blood can be bitten more often than people with Type A. Mosquitoes are shockingly good at picking up cues from our skin. If you’re O+ (very common in NJ), you may feel like you won the mosquito lottery — the bad one.

4. You run hot (and they love it)

Mosquitoes don’t just “smell” you — they can also sense heat. Even small differences in skin temperature can make you a more obvious target. After a hot July day, a run around the block, or a sweaty yard project, you’re easier to find.

5. You cracked open a single beer

Yep. Studies have shown alcohol consumption can increase mosquito attraction in some situations. Translation: that one backyard beer can make you more interesting to mosquitoes than the person next to you.

6. You’re wearing their favorite colors

Mosquitoes see contrast more than detail. Dark colors (like black and navy) can stand out — especially at dusk. If you’re the family magnet, skip the black yoga pants during peak mosquito time and go lighter when you can.

7. Genetics — yes, blame Mom and Dad

A big chunk of mosquito “attractiveness” is inherited. If your parents were the ones getting destroyed at Jersey Shore picnics in the ’90s, there’s a decent chance you inherited the same gift.

So, what actually works in New Jersey?

You can’t change your blood type, your DNA, or the fact that you like IPAs on the deck. But you can change what your yard “feels like” to mosquitoes.

At Bite Back Tick & Mosquito Control, we use all-natural, plant-based barrier treatments designed to help reduce mosquito pressure around the places families actually live: patios, decks, play areas, fence lines, and shaded landscaping. Mosquitoes may still fly into a yard — but with consistent protection, they have a much harder time finding you, your kids, or your dog.

Stop scratching. Start living.

Related read: Natural Tick Control: The Most Effective Essential Oils for Repelling Ticks in 2025