Mosquitoes Like Some More Than Others

If you've ever thought mosquitoes seem to like you more than other people, you might be right. Mosquitoes are more particular about who they bite than people think. About 85 percent of the how susceptible you are to mosquito bites is genetic.
People with higher amounts of cholesterol in their skin are more likely to attract a bite. This doesn't necessarily mean you have high cholesterol, it simply means your ability to process cholesterol isn't as efficient as others. Another genetic factor is the amount of uric acid in your skin.
Mosquitoes can smell the tastiest victims from as far as 50 meters away, and people who exhale more carbon dioxide are more likely to be victims of bites. Heavier people, for instance, and people who are exercising and sweating emit more carbon dioxide. Exercise causes the body to produce more carbon dioxide and more lactic acid through sweat glands. So to limit the probability of being bitten you should choose a nice comfortable chair and relax, while staying away from the volleyball and softball areas.
There are many mosquito repellents that are effective when applied to the skin. Products with DEET have proven to be very good protection against mosquitoes. DEET has been found to be a fairly safe, but other less toxic products can also be used.
Products that contain oil of eucalyptus are very effective long-term repellents, but products containing citronella, lemongrass and peppermint provide short-lived protection at best.
Other alternatives to DEET are: Bite Bloker for Kids, a soy bean oil product that is effective up to 90 minutes. Avon's Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus and Bullfrog's Mosquito Coast are good for about 20 minutes of protection after applying.
Permethrin sprays that are used on clothing and tents are excellent long lasting repellents, but not effective when applied to the skin because they break down too quickly on the body.
The United States has about 175 known species of mosquitoes and they have been around for an estimated 170 million years, so it's not likely they will become endangered any time soon.