TL;DR: Mosquitoes don’t show up randomly – they're drawn to specific signals. Understanding what attracts them is the first step to keeping them away.
-
What attracts mosquitoes the most: carbon dioxide, body heat, sweat, dark clothing, and standing water
-
Why do mosquitoes bite me so much? Body chemistry, blood type, and how much CO2 you produce all play a role
-
What smell do mosquitoes hate? Lemongrass, citronella, rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood – the same plant-based oils used in effective repellents
-
How to keep mosquitoes away starts with eliminating what draws them in – then layering protection for the space around you
What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes aren't just buzzing around randomly hoping to get lucky. They're actually pretty good at finding what they're looking for – and they're drawn to some very specific signals.
Carbon dioxide is the biggest one. Every time you exhale, you're broadcasting your location to every mosquito in the area. The more CO2 you produce – which increases with body size, activity level, and even pregnancy – the more attractive you are as a target.
Body heat is the second major signal. Mosquitoes can detect warmth from a distance, which is why they tend to zero in on people who are active, warm, or sitting close together.
Sweat and skin chemistry add another layer. Lactic acid, ammonia, and other compounds produced through sweat make some people significantly more attractive to mosquitoes than others. This is also why mosquitoes seem to favor people who have been exercising.
Dark clothing may play a role too. Mosquitoes use more than scent to find people, and wearing darker colors can create stronger visual contrast than lighter clothing.
Standing water isn't what attracts mosquitoes to you personally, but it's what keeps them coming back to your yard. Mosquitoes breed in standing water – even small amounts in a plant saucer, bird bath, or low spot in the lawn can support a new generation.
Understanding what mosquitoes are attracted to is genuinely useful to understanding how to keep mosquitoes away – because most of these attractants can be reduced, managed, or countered with the right approach.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Me So Much?
If it feels like mosquitoes target you more than the people around you, you're probably not imagining it. Research suggests a variety of factors may influence mosquito preference – from skin microbiota and carbon dioxide output to clothing color and genetics. That said, the science is still evolving and no single factor explains the whole story.
Blood type is one of the most talked-about variables – and one of the most debated. Some studies suggest mosquitoes may show a preference for people with Type O blood, but findings across studies are mixed and researchers haven't reached a clear consensus. It's worth knowing about, but not a certainty.
Not everyone gives off the same signals. Body size, metabolism, activity level, and even pregnancy can influence how much carbon dioxide and other compounds you produce – which means two people sitting side by side may be creating very different cues for the same mosquito.
Body chemistry and genetics also appear to play a role. Much of the variation in who gets bitten may come down to natural body odor and the specific mix of compounds your skin produces. Some people simply seem to attract more mosquito attention than others – and a lot of that is outside their control.
So why do mosquitoes bite me more than others? The honest answer is that it's probably a combination of factors – and researchers are still learning how much each one contributes. What you can control is making yourself a less appealing target with the right repellent and a few smart habits.
What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate?
So, what smell do mosquitoes hate? Plant-based essential oils are some of the most commonly studied ingredients in mosquito repellent research and are widely used in products designed to help deter mosquitoes:
-
Lemongrass oil – one of the most studied plant-based mosquito deterrents, commonly used in repellent incense and area protection products
-
Citronella oil – one of the most recognizable ingredients associated with mosquito repellency and often used as part of a blend
-
Rosemary oil – included in repellent formulations and often paired with complementary oils
-
Peppermint oil – contributes to the overall repellent effect in blended formulas
-
Cedarwood oil – commonly used alongside other plant-based oils in repellent products
These are the same ingredients Murphy's Naturals builds its products around – across the incense sticks and candles. What naturally repels mosquitoes research consistently points to the same plant-based essential oils: rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, and cedarwood.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away While Sitting Outside ✅
You're outside, you want to stay outside, and you'd rather spend the evening relaxing than swatting. How to keep mosquitoes away while sitting outside usually comes down to layering protection across both your body and the space around you.
Start with your skin. A plant-based repellent spray or balm stick applied to exposed skin is one of the easiest ways to help reduce mosquito activity where it matters most. Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Spray uses oil of lemon eucalyptus – a CDC-recognized active ingredient – to repel mosquitoes for up to 6 hours per application. Apply to ankles, wrists, neck, and other exposed areas before heading outside.
Protect your space. Personal repellent handles your body – but it doesn't protect the people around you or the air in your seating area. Mosquito repellent incense sticks placed 5 feet apart around your seating area create a zone of plant-based protection that works passively while you relax. A mosquito repellent candle on the table adds another layer of ambient coverage with zero effort.
Upgrade for larger spaces. For bigger gatherings or wider outdoor areas, the Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Dodger Zone Repellent uses plant-based essential oils to support broader area coverage – no flames, no reapplication, just set it and let it run.
Layer everything. The most effective approach to keeping a mosquito away combines all three: something on your skin, something around where you're sitting, and something for the full space. Each layer supports a different part of your outdoor setup.
For a deeper dive on setting up your outdoor space, see our guide to the best mosquito repellent for your patio.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your Yard Naturally
How to keep mosquitoes away from your backyard starts before you even step outside. Environmental habits and natural mosquito repellent for yard solutions can help make your outdoor space less inviting to mosquitoes – so there's less to manage once you're ready to settle in and enjoy it.
Eliminate standing water. This is one of the most impactful things you can do. Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water – and even small amounts can be enough. Check bird baths, plant saucers, gutters, low spots in the lawn, and any containers that collect rainwater. Empty or refresh them regularly.
Keep grass and vegetation trimmed. Adult mosquitoes tend to rest in tall grass, dense shrubs, and shaded areas during the day. Keeping your lawn mowed and vegetation trimmed reduces the places they have to hide and regroup.
Consider plants that mosquitoes dislike. Lemongrass, lavender, basil, and marigolds are commonly cited as plants that mosquitoes find unappealing. While no plant is a substitute for a proper repellent, incorporating them into your yard can contribute to a less mosquito-friendly environment.
Use area repellents strategically. For ongoing natural mosquito yard repellent coverage during outdoor time, Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Dodger Zone Repellent and incense sticks placed around your yard create plant-based protection zones using essential oils.
How to keep mosquitoes away from your yard long-term is about reducing breeding grounds first, then layering in repellent solutions for the times you're actually outside.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Dogs
Dogs spend a lot of time outdoors – often closer to the ground and in the vegetation where mosquitoes are most active. How to keep mosquitoes away from dogs naturally requires a slightly different approach since human repellents aren't formulated for pets.
Reduce standing water around their environment. The same habitat advice applies here – empty outdoor water bowls when not in use, refresh pet water regularly, and check for standing water in areas where your dog spends time.
Keep outdoor areas maintained. Short grass and trimmed vegetation around dog runs and play areas can help reduce places where mosquitoes tend to rest during the day.
Talk with your veterinarian about protection options. For dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors or live in mosquito-heavy areas, your vet is the best resource for pet-appropriate protection options. Avoid applying human repellents to dogs – even plant-based formulas aren't formulated or tested for pet use.
Do a check after outdoor time. Mosquitoes can also carry heartworm – a serious concern for dogs. Regular heartworm prevention medication prescribed by your vet is the most important protective measure you can take.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Attracts Mosquitoes
What are mosquitoes attracted to?
Mosquitoes use a combination of cues to find people, which helps explain what attracts mosquitoes in different situations. Carbon dioxide from breathing is one of the strongest signals, but body heat, sweat, skin chemistry, and movement also play a role. Visual cues matter too – darker clothing can create stronger contrast than lighter colors in some environments. Standing water nearby doesn't attract mosquitoes directly, but it can create conditions that support larger mosquito populations.
Why do mosquitoes bite me so much?
If you're wondering, "why do mosquitoes bite me so much?" you're probably not imagining it. Research suggests factors like blood type, carbon dioxide output, body chemistry, and body temperature may influence mosquito preference – but no single factor explains everything. Some studies have found that people with Type O blood may attract more mosquitoes, while higher carbon dioxide output from factors like body size, activity level, fitness, or pregnancy can make someone easier for mosquitoes to detect. Much of this comes down to biology and factors outside your control, which is why repellent and outdoor habits can make such a difference.
Why do mosquitoes bite me more than others?
Research suggests that mosquitoes don't respond to everyone the same way. Differences in body chemistry, carbon dioxide output, activity level, and other biological factors may influence who gets more attention. Wearing lighter clothing, applying repellent consistently, and reducing sweat exposure can all help level the playing field.
What smells do mosquitoes hate most?
Mosquitoes are deterred by several plant-based essential oils – lemongrass, citronella, rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood all have documented repellent properties. Research doesn't point to a single scent above all others – which is why the most effective repellents combine multiple oils rather than relying on one. Concentration and combination matter as much as the ingredient itself.
How do you keep mosquitoes away naturally?
Start by reducing standing water and trimming dense vegetation – that cuts down the mosquito population before you even step outside. From there, layer plant-based repellent solutions based on where you need coverage: a spray or balm stick on exposed skin, mosquito repellent incense sticks around your seating area, and a repellent candle for ambient table coverage. Each layer does something the other can't.
What keeps mosquitoes away?
A combination of environmental habits and the right repellent products. Eliminating standing water reduces mosquito activity at the source. Personal repellent on your skin handles direct protection. Area repellents like incense sticks and candles cover the space around you. No single product does everything – layering them intentionally gives you the most complete coverage.
How do you keep mosquitoes away from your backyard?
Start by eliminating breeding grounds – standing water, dense vegetation, and shaded resting spots. For active outdoor time, natural mosquito repellent for yard solutions like area repellent devices, incense sticks, and personal spray give you layered protection across your space. Environmental habits and repellent products work best when you use both.
How do you keep mosquitoes away while sitting outside?
Layering is the most effective approach. Apply a repellent spray or balm to exposed skin before heading out. Place mosquito repellent incense sticks 10 feet apart around your seating area and light a repellent candle on the table. For larger spaces, add a zone repellent device. Each product handles a different zone – together they cover your full outdoor setup.
How do you keep mosquitoes away from dogs naturally?
Start with their environment – eliminate standing water, keep grass trimmed, and reduce shaded vegetation where mosquitoes rest. Avoid applying human repellents to dogs, including plant-based formulas not formulated for pet use. Your vet can recommend pet-appropriate options and make sure your dog is current on heartworm prevention.
