Why was our son not bitten by mosquitoes?

Question

We recently took our 20 month old son on a backpacking trip into the high country of Yosemite National Park. We carried him in one of those baby toting back packs, while the rest of us carried all the other gear. While trekking, each of our adult companions suffered scores of mosquito bites. My sister in-law alone received over 100 bites and had an allergic reaction. We all wore the same bug repellent; my son included.

My son didn’t get bitten once, not once. He is still being breast feed, could this be the reason he wasn’t bitten? Why else would he not be bitten?

Answer 1

No its because he's a small person, and doesnt expel huge quantities of carbon dioxcide, doesnt have a lot of cholesterol in his diet. And apparently hasnt inherited a "mosquitoe gene"

Research has shown that genetics account for a whopping 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites.

They've also identified certain elements of our body chemistry that, when found in excess on the skin's surface, attract mosquitoes.

People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes,

That doesn't necessarily mean that mosquitoes prey on people with higher overall levels of cholesterol. The cholesterol has to be expelled from the body in order for the mosquitoe to zero in on it.

These people simply may be more efficient at processing cholesterol, the byproducts of which remain on the skin's surface.

Mosquitoes also target people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid. These substances can trigger the mosquitoes' sense of smell, causing them to launch their attack on their victims.

Mosquitoes can smell you from up to 50 meters away, This isnt good for people who emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. Adult males, active and/or overweight people expel more carbon dioxide obviously, sweat more and give off more heat.

Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide, which is why mosquitoes typically prefer munching on adults to small children.

Pregnant women are also at increased risk, as they produce a greater-than-normal amount of exhaled carbon dioxide, sweat more and get warmer carrying the extra weight of a baby.

Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes. So your baby is smaller than you, puts out less carbon dioxide, sweats less, doesnt emit cholesterol or steriod odors, and wasnt moving around very much.

However some babies do get bit a lot. Make sure they are well hydrated to reduce uric acid odors on their skin and for their overall health. (but dont drown them with too much fluid) Urine output is a good indicator of sufficient hydration.

I would think a crying baby is going to put out more carbon dioxide and sweat. And if there is no other meal source around mosquites will take what they can get.

Please check and see if the insect repellent you use is considered safe for small children and babies, many arent.

Answer 2

As what I have known, mosquitoes find their host by visual, thermal, and olfactory stimuli-by sight, heat, and recognition of carbon dioxide excreted from the skin. Carbon dioxide can be recognized by a mosquito up to 155 feet away. It is believed that those with large body mass excrete more carbon dioxide thus would be more favorable to mosquitoes. Heavier individuals are bitten more than thin as well. So with the body mass, there are many much bigger around than the baby.
Dark colored clothing is an attractant as opposed to light colored clothing. Soaps, cologne, and lotions can also attract mosquitoes. I believe adults used stronger scented soaps, cologne and lotions that became quite "attractive" to mosquitoes. Most of the mosquito repellers are not that effective. It would confer a very short effect and then the mosquito wouldn't mind it.

Answer 3

I took a weeklong backpacking trek in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with a couple of my friends. We experienced the same thing. Me and one of my friends received very few bites, however, my other friend was litterally eaten alive. At first it was funny, but after a while, I felt sorry for him. They would just swarm around him, and bite him, and even though I was standing right next to him, I received very few bites.

The only explanation to this phenomena, as we were all wearing the same insect repellant, is that he tasted better. There must have been something in his sweat that attracted them over mine and the other guys. It could have had to do with diet, the amount of sweating done, or it could have been a chemical attraction. I do not know, but until we got into the higher elevations where the mosquitos where not present, this poor guy suffered.

Answer 4

mosquitoes are attracted to sweat, it might be because the baby was on a backpack, and not trekking like the rest. And you guys were walking right? The sweat might have gotten rid of the mosquito repellant, you know overtake the smell. The baby had the repellant on and the baby was not sweating because it was being carried. So that is probably why it was protected.


Mosquitoes are blood-sucking insects that are attracted to moisture, sweat, heat, and carbon dioxide and are attracted to some people more than others.

Answer 5

I'll never be able to give you a scientific answer to that, because im definatly the favorite of most mosquitos in the country, while some of my friends never get bitten! What i've heard, is that some people have different skin types, some have more tender skin and some have denser skin. Hope I helped!

Answer 6

Well, I'm not sure if its different for babies, but.... I, myself, have never recieved a bite. Do not ask why. I don't know. It might just be that he's a baby or something but if this keeps on happening in to toddler years I can assure you its completely normal. Like I said I have never been bitten and I just believe it has something to do with the mosquitoes. They do not like our smell our something. Don't worry. He'll be fine.

Answer 7

There are two possibilities:
The mosquitoes don't like the odor of your son, or the lack of some odor they are looking for.
As your son is with the immune system not ready, there are not allergic reactions yet.

Answer 8

Maybe because mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and lactic acid and the baby's was far less than any of the adult's...just a thought. The carbon dioxide is in our breath and emitted from the pores of our skin. Since the baby was in the carrier, he wasn't breathing vigorously or sweating a lot.

Answer 9

Good Question. I was in a wooded area, attending a wedding, no doubt. Along, with several others on Saturday. Along with many other, some got bitten pretty bad, including me, while still others nothing not one bite mark. It must have something to do with skin tone.

Answer 10

he may have been bitten but just is not allergic to mosquitoes. Its rare to not be allergic but some people are.