If you’ve ever wondered why it feels like mosquitos are targeting you more than anyone else then not to worry my friend, scientists have finally found the answer.Of all the bugs out there, mosquitos are probably some of the worst, mainly because of the deadly viruses they can often carry. You only need to see what they’ve been doing to the rabbits in the US to understand that.China has already taken serious action after a newborn virus started to spread through the pesky bug bites, so it’s easy to see why plenty of people don’t like them.Now, you may never have suffered a mosquito bite or maybe you get them all the time, but either way you’ll probably be wondering why it is they do or don’t target you.

Jonathan F. Day, an entomology professor at the University of Florida, thinks he’s figured out a reason why, and it turns out that the insects are far more picky than you might imagine.“These cues let them know they are going to a blood source,” Day said. “Perhaps CO2 is the most important. The amount of CO2 you produce, like people with high metabolic rates ― genetic, other factors ― increases the amount of carbon dioxide you give off. The more you give off, the more attractive you are to these arthropods.”Considering non-living things such as cars also give off carbon dioxide, the mosquitoes then consider secondary cues before selecting their blood source.Lactic acid, which is the chemical that causes our muscles to cramp, is also likely to pin a target on your back, with Day explaining some of the other cues which the vampiric animals considerHe said: “Mosquitoes have excellent vision, but they fly close to the ground to stay out of the wind. They are able to contrast you with the horizon, so how you’re dressed matters. If you have on dark clothes, you are going to attract more because you’ll stand out from the horizon, whereas those wearing light colours won’t as much.”