Exercise can temporarily increase the signal even further.
After running, cycling, gardening, dancing, or even walking quickly on a warm evening, your breathing rate increases. You exhale more carbon dioxide while your body becomes warmer and begins producing more sweat.
From the mosquito’s point of view, several attractive signals suddenly become stronger at the same time.
Once mosquitoes detect CO₂, they can begin moving toward its source.
As they get closer, other signals—including body heat and skin odor—help them determine exactly where to land.
Body Heat Makes You Easier to Find
Mosquitoes do not rely on smell alone.
Temperature also matters.
The human body naturally produces heat, and warmer areas of exposed skin can help mosquitoes locate a suitable place to land and feed.
This may help explain why mosquitoes often seem more bothersome after physical activity.
Exercise raises body temperature. Warm summer weather can do the same.
