Have you ever been bitten by mosquitoes at a barbecue while the person next to you remains unscathed? It may come as a surprise, but your clothing color might be the secret culprit. Recent research in the United States has unveiled that certain colors highly attract hungry mosquitoes, while others are ignored. This discovery could be your ticket to finding the perfect mosquito-repelling attire.
In a study released in 2022, researchers found these insects are attracted to the scent of carbon dioxide from our breath. This insight prompted them to conduct extensive experiments to understand how this scent drives mosquitoes in search of food.
Scientists finally reveal mosquito’s favorite color
Researchers then tested the insect’s response to dots of different colors at the end of a tube, with or without a puff of CO2. They found that mosquitoes were drawn to a spot if it was red, orange, black, or cyan, and if they had been previously exposed to CO2. Without the gas, insects largely ignored the spots, regardless of their color.
However, they showed no interest in green, blue, white, or purple spots, even if they had been triggered by a CO2 blast. According to Jeffrey Riffell, the study’s lead author, “When mosquitoes sense specific smells, like the CO2 in our breath, it stimulates them to seek out specific colors.”
Avoid this color
You may wonder why they are attracted to red and orange hues. According to scientists, it’s because of the undertones of our skin. They explain that, no matter the shade or pigmentation, our skin emits a strong red-orange signal to mosquito eyes. That’s why you’re advised to wear long clothing in cool colors to avoid mosquito bites.
