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Dear Yahoo!:
Do mosquitoes prefer certain blood types?
Shannon
Tampa, Florida
Dear Shannon:
If you mean different human blood types, no, mosquitoes don't seem to care. But the little buggers do prefer the blood of some animals to others. In fact, each species of mosquito seems to have a definite animal preference. Surprisingly, humans aren't the preferred blood bank for many mosquitoes.

It may be small consolation, but mosquitoes do have their reasons for sucking blood -- blood proteins help the females lay eggs. The insects have sensors that help them find food and blood and detect carbon dioxide, which they are naturally drawn to. Mammals and birds exhale carbon dioxide, and mosquitoes can sense it from up to 100 feet away. The bugs see movement and detect visual contrast, and can also sense heat, which helps them find warm-blooded creatures like us.

Combined with carbon dioxide, certain odors like sweat and perfume can be a strong lure for mosquitoes. Curiously enough, scientists have found that drinking beer or eating Limburger cheese will make a person more attractive to mosquitoes (although probably less attractive to fellow humans).

 
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