When you’re enjoying the outdoors but hear that familiar buzz of a dozen mosquitoes, you may wonder what you can do to keep them from biting you. One of the common questions about mosquitoes is whether they’re more attracted to certain colors than others.
In this post, we’ll explore colors that can attract or deter mosquitoes so you can choose the right hues for your outdoor lifestyle.
What colors are mosquitoes attracted to?
Compared to humans, mosquitoes see a smaller range of colors. One study found that red, orange, cyan (blue-green), and black tend to draw mosquitoes, while colors that make you more difficult to see can repel mosquitoes, including white, green, blue, and purple.
Based on these findings, wearing pastels in cooler hues may reduce your risk of bites.
What colors should I avoid in my outdoor living space to reduce mosquitoes?
When choosing colors to avoid mosquitoes, consider how you decorate your outdoor living space. Choose white wood, metal, plastic, or wicker furniture over black or dark bronze iron. When selecting cushions, doormats, and decorative accents, look for items in blues, purples, greens, and white to lower the likelihood of mosquito problems.
How do I prevent mosquitoes from swarming my backyard?
You can take other steps to control mosquitoes in your yard, including:
- Turning empty containers over when not in use to avoid collecting water
- Covering rain barrels, fire pit tables, and other items that can hold water
- Improving drainage around your home to reduce dampness
- Removing tree stumps
- Repairing leaky hoses and outdoor plumbing
- Cleaning your gutters regularly
- Mowing your lawn frequently
- Keeping your bushes and trees trimmed
- Adding an aerating pump or fountain to your backyard pond
Mosquito FAQs
How picky are these pests? We’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions about what attracts mosquitoes most.
Are mosquitoes attracted to certain smells?
Yes, mosquitoes use smell as a way to detect prey. The smells of body odor and skin can attract them. In addition, these pests detect carbon dioxide that you exhale when you breathe as well as your body heat. They’ve developed many ways to be able to seek out their next food source!
Are mosquitoes attracted to a particular blood type?
The answer to this question is complicated. A scientific study found that mosquitoes were more likely to bite people with type O blood. However, the researchers were later forced to retract their article when they discovered their statistics were inaccurate.
At this time, there is not enough evidence to prove that mosquitoes prefer one blood type or another, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Instead, it indicates that scientists still have more work to do to determine why some people are more prone to mosquito bites than others.
What type of clothes should I wear to protect myself from mosquitoes?
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, cover as much of your skin as possible by wearing long sleeves, full-length pants, and socks. Tuck your shirt in and choose styles with cuffs and collars to make it harder for mosquitoes to access your skin. Clothing made of cotton and linen can be good options for hot days due to their breathability.
Pest control services
To take mosquito prevention a step further, call Hawx Pest Control. Our licensed pest control technicians will inspect your outdoor living spaces and yard to identify things that could attract mosquitoes. Then we develop an effective, affordable treatment plan to address those risk factors and prevent mosquitoes from ruining your day.
FAQs
Mosquitoes are also drawn to certain colors—they love red and black, Riffell said in the video. But mosquitoes tend to dislike white and green, Riffell added.
What color do mosquitoes hate? ›
Compared to humans, mosquitoes see a smaller range of colors. One study found that red, orange, cyan (blue-green), and black tend to draw mosquitoes, while colors that make you more difficult to see can repel mosquitoes, including white, green, blue, and purple.
What are the best colors to wear to avoid mosquitoes? ›
To reduce the possibility of a mosquito biting you, you could consider wearing white, green or blue. Lighter colors are less interesting to mosquitos than darker shades like navy and black, red or orange. However, clothing color alone is unlikely to keep mosquitos away for good.
What smell do mosquitoes hate? ›
Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.
What attracts mosquitoes the most? ›
Science reveals that a variety of factors might make you more palatable to mosquitoes, from your skin microbiota and carbon dioxide emitted in your breath to the color of clothing you're wearing (with colors like red, orange, and black being the most attractive to mosquitoes).
What keeps mosquitoes away from biting you? ›
Clothing stops mosquitoes reaching your skin and biting. Mosquitoes cannot bite through loose-fitting clothing but can if clothing is tight against your skin. In hot climates, your clothing can be thin, provided it is loose. Any areas of skin not covered by clothing should have insect repellent applied.
Which blood type do mosquitoes hate? ›
While mosquitoes do seem to be attracted to specific blood types, there isn't one that mosquitoes completely dislike or avoid. However, studies have found that mosquitoes are generally less attracted to individuals with Type A blood, especially when given the choice to feast on our Type O friends.
Does Irish Spring soap repel mosquitoes? ›
Irish Spring has some utility for repelling mammals, but it won't work at all to repel mosquitoes and other insects.
Why do mosquitoes bite me and not my husband? ›
Mosquitoes may bite you more for various reasons, including your blood type, your clothes, your breathing, or even the bacteria living on your skin. Mosquito bites come solely from females, who rely on the protein in human blood for egg production. Male mosquitoes survive on nectar for nourishment.
What deodorant do mosquitoes hate? ›
A study in Nature found that a compound in deodorants (isopropyl tetradecanoate) repelled mosquitoes by preventing them from landing on the surface coated in deodorant. In fact, there was a 56% decrease in the number of mosquito landings. Imagine how many fewer bites that could lead to.
Three ways to avoid mosquito bites
- Repellent. It is important to use an insect repellent day and night, indoors and outdoors, on any exposed skin. ...
- Clothing. When possible, wear clothing with long sleeves, trousers, skirts and dresses, socks and shoes to stop mosquitoes biting your skin. ...
- Nets. ...
- Further information.
Most mosquito species in the U.S. increase activity from dusk to dawn, which means you're more likely to get bit if you step outside at that time. People who spend time or live near wooded areas, wetlands or shaded places with standing water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes, are at increased risk of bug bites.
What color light is best to keep mosquitoes away? ›
Mosquito Prevention & Control
Although mosquitoes are attracted to light, many people find that yellow bulbs are the best choice.
What clothing do mosquitoes hate? ›
Secondly, lighter colors are not as attractive to mosquitoes, who prefer brightly colored, dark blue or black clothing. White and khaki will work best for not only avoiding flying biters, but also for keeping you cool and stylish.
What color blue repels mosquitoes? ›
Unlike the heat absorbent, navy blue tones, lighter blues actually reflect more heat and light — which mosquitoes do not like.
What Colours can't mosquitoes see? ›
New research led by scientists at the University of Washington indicates that a common mosquito species — after detecting a telltale gas that we exhale — flies toward specific colors, including red, orange, black and cyan. The mosquitoes ignore other colors, such as green, purple, blue and white.
