Dutch scientists have found that beer lovers are 35% more attractive to mosquitoes. The results of the study were published on the bioRxiv preprint service.

The experiment was conducted in unusual conditions — right at the Lowlands music festival, where researchers from Radboud University set up a mobile laboratory.

About 500 volunteers took part in the study. First, the subjects filled out questionnaires about their diet, hygiene, and lifestyle, and then placed their hands in a special transparent chamber with insects. The mosquitoes could not bite, but they reacted to the smell of skin. Video cameras built into the walls of the chamber recorded the insects' level of interest.

The results showed that beer lovers are about 35% more attractive to mosquitoes. The insects also showed increased interest in those who had shared a bed with a partner the night before. Conversely, a recent shower and the use of sunscreen reduced the likelihood of being targeted. 

According to the scientists, mosquitoes are attracted not only by carbon dioxide and heat, but also by chemical signals from the skin, which change under the influence of human habits. These data help explain why some people become real “magnets” for insects, while others hardly suffer from bites.

The authors of the study emphasize that mosquitoes are carriers of dangerous infections, including malaria and dengue fever. Therefore, even simple measures — from regular showers and sunscreen to moderate consumption of alcohol — can help reduce the risk of being bitten.