It’s a summer night in Marsaxlokk, the air filled with the hum of boats and the distant chatter of locals enjoying a late dinner. You’re sitting at a waterside table, the salty breeze ruffling your hair, but there’s another hum – the high-pitched whine of mosquitoes. Your companion, however, remains blissfully untouched. Why is it that some of us are mosquito magnets, while others seem immune?

Scientists have long known that mosquitoes are attracted to certain blood types. Type O is the most attractive, followed by Type A, with Type B being the least appealing. But why? It’s all about the smell. Our blood type influences the scent we emit, and mosquitoes are drawn to the sweet, fruity aroma of Type O blood. So, if you’re a Type O Maltese, like many locals in Birkirkara, you might be serving up a particularly enticing scent on those warm evenings.

Mosquitoes are also attracted to carbon dioxide, which we exhale. The more you breathe, the more you’re likely to attract mosquitoes. This is why pregnant women, who breathe more deeply and exhale more CO2, often find mosquitoes buzzing around them. It’s also why you might find more mosquitoes around someone who’s exercising or has a higher metabolism – they’re simply exhaling more CO2.

In Malta’s bustling Paceville, where the air is filled with the sounds of nightlife and the scent of street food, the carbon dioxide levels are likely higher, attracting more mosquitoes. But even here, some people seem less bothered than others. Why?

Our body odor plays a significant role in attracting mosquitoes. Certain chemicals in our sweat, like lactic acid and ammonia, act as mosquito magnets. Some people produce more of these chemicals than others, making them more attractive to mosquitoes. This is why taking a shower can sometimes help reduce mosquito bites – it washes away the attractive chemicals.

But body odor isn’t the only factor. Mosquitoes are also drawn to certain bacteria that live on our skin. Some people host more of these bacteria, making them more attractive to mosquitoes. This is why using antibacterial soaps or hand sanitizers can sometimes reduce mosquito bites.

If you’re a mosquito magnet, don’t despair. There are steps you can take to reduce the number of bites you get. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing can help, as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors and tight clothing traps heat and sweat. Using insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin can also help.

But perhaps the most effective strategy is to make your home and garden less attractive to mosquitoes. This means getting rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, using mosquito nets, and keeping windows and doors closed at night. In Malta’s many traditional farmhouses, this could mean checking for water in old cisterns or under leaky pipes.

And remember, while mosquitoes can be a nuisance, they also play a crucial role in many ecosystems. They’re a food source for many birds, bats, and fish, and they help control populations of other insects. So, while we might not like them, they’re an important part of our island’s biodiversity.

So, the next time you’re out enjoying a summer’s evening in Malta, remember that it’s not just your blood type that’s attracting those mosquitoes – it’s you. But with a bit of knowledge and some simple precautions, you can enjoy the Maltese summer without being a mosquito’s dinner.