Why Mosquitoes Bite: Understanding Their Attraction to Humans
In Why Mosquitoes Bite: Understanding Their Attraction to Humans, host Harith Iskander explains why female mosquitoes are uniquely attracted to humans and why they need to consume blood to reproduce. Learn how mosquitoes require protein from blood to support their reproductive process, and how, interestingly, they tend to prefer people with blood type O. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
Lesson Express
Q: Why do only female mosquitoes bite humans?
A: Female mosquitoes need the protein from human blood to produce and lay eggs, which is necessary for their reproductive cycle.
Q: What attracts mosquitoes to people?
A: Mosquitoes are drawn to humans by body heat, specific body odors, and the carbon dioxide we exhale, which help them find a blood source.
Q: How can we prevent mosquito bites?
A: People can reduce the risk of bites by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs.