Why Do Mosquitoes Love Me?

I swear mosquitoes love me! Not only do I apparently taste good, but I'm also apparently allergic to their poison as their bites swell up to quarter sized whelps on me. My hubby, on the other hand, never gets bitten? So what's up with that? First of all they are drawn to carbon dioxide, something we all breathe out. In addition, there are more than 275 compounds that skin produces, some of which do indeed lure mosquitoes. Our individual genetics, plus diets and exercise habits, appear to play a role in how much of these we manufacture. The scent of sweat and alcohol may also get the insects attention. So, unfortunately, there is little you can do other than use a bug repellent to keep them away. (For a natural alternative try mixing 10 parts lavender, 5 parts lemon and 2 drops of geranium or eucalyptus oil. Add a couple of tablespoons of almond oil and you have a beautiful scent that, fortunately, smells horrible to mosquitoes.)