A new study from Dutch researchers has found that people who drink beer are significantly more likely to attract mosquitoes, raising concerns about certain lifestyle habits that could make someone a mosquito magnet.
The study, published on BioRXiv, aimed to determine why some individuals attract more mosquito bites than others.
Researchers recruited 500 festival attendees and asked them to place their arms in a specially designed chamber containing female mosquitoes. The findings revealed that individuals who consumed beer were 1.35 times more attractive to mosquitoes than those who abstained. Other habits linked to higher mosquito attraction included not wearing sunscreen, showering less frequently, and sharing a bed the night before.
According to the team, the alcohol itself isn’t necessarily what draws mosquitoes in. Instead, it may be changes in body odour or behaviour — such as increased activity or sweating — that make a person more appealing to the bloodsuckers. These factors could make beer drinkers especially prone to becoming a mosquito magnet.
