What attracts mosquitoes?

June 22, 2026 Lukas Ramos

Ah, those balmy summer evenings… Windows flung wide open to let in the cool night air, and… that maddening buzzing that ruins everything. As soon as the warm weather settles in, one question keeps coming back: which smell repels mosquitoes so you can finally enjoy a peaceful night?

Faced with the chemical arsenal of aerosol sprays and plug-in refills, more and more of us are looking for a natural alternative, in particular by exploring the smell that mosquitoes hate. But to fight them effectively, knowing how to drive them away is not enough: you first have to understand their behaviour. Indeed, without meaning to, we give off a smell that attracts mosquitoes in droves into our homes every single day.

So, what attracts mosquitoes inside a house? From biological factors to scent traps, discover how to decode these pests' secrets and what the best solution is to block them out of your home for good.

What attracts mosquitoes inside a house

To protect yourself successfully, you first have to understand how these insects pick us out from dozens of metres away. Contrary to popular belief, they do not choose their victims at random. Here are the real culprits behind their arrival in your home.

CO2

This is the number one alarm signal for insects. The carbon dioxide (CO2) we give off when breathing is detected by mosquitoes from more than 30 metres away. The more CO2 you exhale (for example during physical exertion, a lively conversation or while you sleep), the easier a target you become to locate in a closed room.

Body heat

Once it has approached the house thanks to CO2, the mosquito uses its thermal sensors. Body heat tells it precisely where its prey is. If you naturally have a high body temperature or if you have just exercised, you shine like a real thermal beacon for mosquitoes in search of fresh blood.

The smells that attract mosquitoes

Every human being has a unique scent signature, made up of hundreds of volatile chemical compounds. Among the smells that attract mosquitoes, you will notably find lactic acid, ammonia and uric acid. But that is not all: certain cosmetic fragrances that are overly sweet, floral or fruity (shampoos, creams, perfumes) can also send the wrong signal and whet these pests' appetite.

Perspiration

Perspiration is the perfect cocktail to attract them. When we sweat, our body releases a large amount of lactic acid and moisture, two things mosquitoes are crazy about. The longer sweat sits on the skin and interacts with our skin bacteria, the more powerful and irresistible the smell that attracts mosquitoes becomes for them.

How to repel mosquitoes from your home?

Knowing what attracts these insects is one thing, but finding a reliable method to keep them outside is another. While natural tips or chemical sprays offer short-lived relief, they never solve the problem at its source. To secure your home for good while still ventilating your rooms, the only foolproof solution is to install a physical barrier.

Magnetic fly screens

The most effective and practical answer on the market remains the installation of fly screens. At Moskera, we have developed a range of made-to-measure magnetic fly screens that fit into your daily life without holding you back. Thanks to their automatic magnetic closing system, they snap shut behind you the moment you walk through, leaving insects not a single second to slip inside.

What is more, their ultra-translucent high-density mesh preserves a perfect view of the outside and lets the cool night air circulate, without ever dimming the brightness of your home. Whether fitted on PVC, aluminium or wood, they are easy to install and require no drilling.

To suit every layout in your home, the Moskera range comes in versions for all types of opening:

Magnetic fly screens for doors:

Ideal for front doors, French doors or accesses leading to the garage and the laundry. The magnetic door fly screen allows smooth comings and goings, even with your hands full, because it opens with a simple push and repositions itself on its own to form an airtight seal.

Door fly screen: Protect yourself from mosquitoes

Magnetic fly screens for windows:

The magnetic window fly screen is a must-have in bedrooms so you can sleep with the windows wide open without fearing the slightest buzz, or in the kitchen to clear cooking smells without inviting pests to the table.

Window fly screen: Protect yourself from mosquitoes

Magnetic fly screens for large openings & patio doors:

Terraces and large living rooms deserve their protection too. Our made-to-measure fly screens for large openings and patio doors let you connect the inside and the outside during long summer evenings, while eliminating the stress of bites for good.

Fly screen for patio doors and large openings: Protect yourself from mosquitoes

Are mosquitoes attracted to light?

It is a reflex we all have in summer: as soon as an insect comes in, we switch off the lights in the room thinking it will keep it away. But in reality, are mosquitoes attracted to light?

The scientific answer is no. Unlike moths, mayflies or flies that are fascinated by bulbs (a phenomenon called positive phototaxis), the mosquito is largely indifferent to it. If you leave the light on in your bedroom in the evening, it is not the glow of your lamp that will bring mosquitoes in from the garden, but rather the CO2 you exhale and the heat your body gives off.

Why do we see them circling our lamps?

While light does not attract them directly, it can nonetheless change their behaviour:

A visual landmark: In total darkness, an artificial light source helps the mosquito orient itself and navigate through space. It moves closer to it to find its way better, not for the light itself.
The heat given off: Bulbs (especially older incandescent or halogen generations) emit heat. As we have seen, the mosquito is a thermal opportunist: it is drawn to this artificial heat source.

The Moskera tip: Switching off your bedroom light will not protect you from bites if you sleep with the window wide open. The mosquito will pick you out in complete darkness thanks to your breathing. To stop it getting in, the only solution is to close off the access with a magnetic fly screen.

The colours that attract mosquitoes

We rarely think about it when getting dressed in summer, but our wardrobe plays a crucial role. On top of smells and CO2, these insects have excellent thermal and spectral vision. So, which colour attracts mosquitoes and how can you avoid becoming a visual target?

Dark and warm colours: black, orange, yellow and red

Scientific studies have shown that mosquitoes have very pronounced visual preferences. They are particularly stimulated by dark shades and long-wavelength colours:

Black and dark blue: Dark colours absorb heat and retain infrared radiation. For the mosquito, a silhouette dressed in black is far easier to pick out from the background and spot than a light one.
Red, orange and yellow: Human skin, whatever its colour or pigmentation, gives off a visual signature that sits in the red and orange range to a mosquito's eyes. Wearing these warm-coloured clothes mimics, in a way, the presence of bare skin and prompts them to attack.

In summer, favour loose, light-coloured clothing (white, beige, pastel green). They reflect light and heat, which makes you almost "invisible" to mosquitoes. And to protect your home without having to repaint your walls or change your curtains, fitting a fly screen on your openings remains the surest way to block their path.

Which skin type attracts mosquitoes the most?

We are not all equal when it comes to bites. You have surely noticed that in the same room, some people get devoured while others come out unscathed. This mystery lies mainly in the characteristics of our skin. So, which skin type attracts mosquitoes the most?

Mosquitoes are drawn to thinner skin, which is easier to pierce

Mosquitoes are opportunists. To feed quickly without being noticed, they target as a priority the areas where the skin barrier is most vulnerable and the skin is softest:

The skin of the ankles and neck: These are strategic areas. The skin there is particularly thin and the blood vessels lie close to the surface, which lets the mosquito bite in record time.
Women's skin: As a general rule, women's skin is thinner than men's, which makes it a more accessible target for female mosquitoes (the only ones that bite).
The skin of children and babies: Their skin is extremely delicate, thin and full of water. It is an ideal hunting ground for insects.

The reflex to avoid: Faced with this vulnerability, we tend to want to apply a baby mosquito repellent or a product for pregnant women. Yet even the so-called "suitable" lotions contain chemical active ingredients or allergens that are never ideal for health or for the ultra-sensitive skin of newborns.

The ideal, completely safe solution is to use a Moskera magnetic fly screen. It protects the whole family in a totally natural way, with no toxic fumes, no overpowering smell and without having to apply any product to the skin.

See our fly screens

Which blood type attracts mosquitoes the most

It is a question we often ask within the family or among friends after a summer evening: why do some people get devoured while others do not have a single bite? While diet or blood sugar are explanations often wrongly put forward, the real answer is genetic. So, which blood type attracts mosquitoes the most?

Type O: mosquitoes' favourite target

Science has looked into the question and the conclusions are clear. According to a major study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, mosquitoes have very clear preferences when it comes to blood type:

Type O, the firm favourite: People with type O blood are real magnets. The study shows that mosquitoes land almost twice as often on the skin of type O individuals as on that of type B.
Type A, on the second step: People with type A blood come just after. They remain markedly more attractive to mosquitoes than type B profiles.
Type B, the least targeted: If you are type B, you are in luck. It is the blood type these insects are least interested in.

How do mosquitoes guess your blood type?

Mosquitoes do not bite at random to "taste" your blood. About 85% of human beings are what are called "secretors": our body naturally produces and releases through the skin (via sweat and sebum) chemical signals, mainly saccharides (sugars), that reveal our blood type.

Thanks to their ultra-sensitive receptors, female mosquitoes detect these molecules from a distance and select their ideal victim even before landing on their skin.

Which smell repels mosquitoes?

After scrutinising everything that makes our body so attractive to these insects, a crucial question arises: which smell repels mosquitoes so we can manage to mask our presence and protect our home?

Mosquitoes have an extremely well-developed sense of smell that serves as their compass. By diffusing certain specific fragrances, it is possible to saturate their receptors and disrupt their navigation system.

The natural molecules and plants that mosquitoes hate

Nature is full of plants whose scents act like real olfactory shields:

Geraniol and citronellal: These are the two main active ingredients found in citronella, pelargonium and lemon eucalyptus. These molecules disrupt the mosquito's guidance system and drive it away. If you have green fingers, you should know that you can plant up your windowsills directly. To make the right choices, read our guide: Discover our article on the best mosquito-repellent plants to keep at home.
Linalool: Present in large amounts in true lavender, this scent, pleasant to humans, turns out to be a powerful natural repellent for insects, which seek to move away from it as fast as possible.
Menthol: The fresh, sharp smell of peppermint or basil disrupts mosquitoes' thermal sensors, preventing them from locating the heat of our body.

Using essential oils and plant concentrates

To achieve maximum short-term effectiveness, these smells are often extracted to be used in their most powerful form. If you want to know how to diffuse them in the house or how to apply them safely, you can read our complete guide: Read our blog article dedicated to mosquito-repellent essential oils.

How to attract mosquitoes?

It may seem counterintuitive at first glance, but trying to find out how to attract mosquitoes can turn out to be an excellent strategy for getting rid of them for good. Instead of simply trying to flee them, the goal is to create an irresistible lure to divert them from your skin and neutralise them before they bite you.

Attracting mosquitoes to kill them with a trap

To successfully trap these pests, you have to exploit their number one weakness: their dependence on carbon dioxide. An ecological, cheap and ruthlessly effective trap can easily be made at home by repurposing everyday ingredients.

The principle is simple: a mixture of sugar and baker's yeast in warm water will trigger a fermentation reaction. As it ferments, the yeast will consume the sugar and continuously release CO2. For the mosquito, this gas emission perfectly mimics the breathing of a human being or an animal.

How to make a mosquito trap?

To build this homemade CO2 trap:

Cut a plastic bottle in two.
Pour the mixture of lukewarm water, brown sugar and yeast into the lower part.
Turn the bottle's neck upside down to form a funnel and place it on the base.

Attracted by the CO2, the mosquitoes will rush into the funnel to reach the source of the smell, but they will find themselves unable to get back out and will end up trapped at the bottom of the bottle.

WARNING! : This kind of homemade mosquito trap is an excellent tip for reducing the mosquito population outdoors, for example by placing it in a corner of your terrace during a meal. However, keep in mind that attracting mosquitoes carries a risk: if the trap is placed too close to your bed, you may end up inviting the mosquitoes straight into your bedroom.

What attracts mosquitoes in a garden

To enjoy a peaceful summer, the battle is not fought only inside the house. The garden is very often the primary larder and the main breeding ground for these insects. If you feel that your outdoor space is overrun as soon as the sun goes down, it is essential to understand what attracts mosquitoes in a garden in order to eliminate their comfort zones.

Standing water

This is the number one attraction factor, particularly for the dreaded tiger mosquito. Female mosquitoes absolutely need standing water to lay their eggs. A single millimetre of water is enough for hundreds of larvae to develop in just a few days.

In your garden, be especially vigilant with:

The saucers under flowerpots that hold water after watering or a shower.
Rainwater collectors if they are not hermetically sealed.
Pool covers, children's toys left on the lawn, or clogged gutters where water struggles to drain.

Get into the habit of emptying or turning over these containers at least once a week to cut the mosquitoes' breeding cycle right off.

Dense vegetation and plants

While mosquitoes need water to be born, they need shade and moisture to survive during the hottest hours of the day. Mosquitoes hate direct sunlight, which quickly dehydrates them.

So they love to take refuge in the dense vegetation and plants in your garden. Tall grass, thick hedges (such as thuja), unkempt flower beds and shady patches of ivy make perfect air-conditioned shelters for them. There they patiently wait for the cool of the evening to come out and hunt.

The best solution to repel mosquitoes?

After reviewing everything that governs the behaviour of these insects, the finding is clear: cheating our blood type is impossible, forgetting to breathe to mask our CO2 is unthinkable, and relying solely on scent repellents remains too fleeting. So, what really is the best solution to repel mosquitoes for good?

Without question, the answer lies in installing a physical barrier, and more specifically in adopting magnetic fly screens. Unlike sprays, they require no chemical renewal and pose no risk of allergy or toxicity for babies and pregnant women. It is the guarantee of a home that is 100% protected, 24/7.

Protect your openings with Moskera magnetic fly screens

More than 10,000 households have chosen MOSKERA to enjoy quiet, mosquito-free nights again. Installation in 10 minutes, no drilling, made to measure. Choose the model suited to your opening: