Why mozzies always bite you (and not the person next to you)
If mozzies seem to ignore everyone else and then completely zero in on you, you’re not imagining it. Mosquitoes don’t bite randomly. They’re surprisingly selective, and certain bodies are simply easier for them to find.
Here’s what’s really going on.
Your body has a signature scent
Mosquitoes are guided by smell. Your skin gives off a unique mix of compounds like lactic acid and other by-products created by the natural bacteria on your skin. Everyone’s skin microbiome is different, which is why one person in a group can be bitten repeatedly while another barely notices a mozzie nearby.
Your breath gives you away
Mosquitoes track carbon dioxide in the air to locate humans. People who breathe more deeply, talk more, laugh more, or are simply larger adults tend to send out stronger CO₂ signals, making them easier for mozzies to lock onto.
Heat and movement make you visible
Warm bodies are easier for mozzies to detect. Add movement like gardening, walking, kids playing or just being active, and you release even more scent and heat into the air. That’s usually when they appear.
Hormones quietly change the rules
Hormonal shifts can subtly change how you smell. Pregnancy, menopause, stress and monthly hormone changes can all make someone suddenly more attractive to mozzies, even if they’ve never had an issue before.
Some people really are mozzie magnets
Put all of this together and the truth is simple. Some bodies are easier for mozzies to find. It’s not bad luck, and it’s not something you’re doing wrong.
So what actually helps?
Most people only deal with mozzies after they’ve been bitten. The more effective approach is to make yourself and your space less appealing to them in the first place.
Mozzies rely heavily on scent to navigate, and certain plant compounds interfere with the signals they follow.
Bug Off Oil in a diffuser
Our Bug Off Oil is designed to be used in a diffuser and contains lemongrass, citronella and eucalyptus, plants known for their ability to disrupt mozzies’ scent tracking.
Lemongrass and citronella help mask the human scents mozzies are drawn to, making it harder for them to distinguish you from the background. Instead of being attracted into the space, they tend to move on.
Eucalyptus works a little differently. Its strong, fresh aroma interferes with mozzies’ scent receptors, which rely on very specific cues to lock onto a target. When those receptors are confused or overwhelmed, mozzies struggle to orient themselves.
Diffusing this blend changes the overall scent profile of your home or outdoor space, creating an environment that’s simply not inviting to mozzies, without sprays, coils or harsh chemicals.
Bug Balm on your skin
At skin level, our Bug Balm works alongside this approach. Applied to exposed areas, it helps mask the scent cues coming from your body that mozzies use to find you. And if you do get bitten, it also helps soothe the skin and calm irritation at the same time.
It’s a simple two-part system: change the air around you, and protect and calm your skin.
If you’re someone who always seems to be the one getting bitten, this approach can make a real difference, especially once mozzie season is already in full swing.
Right now, we’re offering a free Bug Off Oil when you spend over $40 and a free Bug Balm when you spend over $65 for a limited time, so you can try them for yourself while stock lasts!
