I Don’t Know My Blood Type, But Mosquitoes Do

First, as the author of this story, I need to tell you two things. #1- I hate mosquitoes because they tend to eat me alive. #2- I actually don't know my own blood type, so I can't really confirm or deny the data that I am about to share.

Now, you're probably asking, "How does this person not know his own blood type?" Well, it's a story worth sharing, so here goes. In my 7th grade science class at Daviess County Middle School, we actually had a blood-type lab day in which we pricked our own fingers to find out our blood types. However, my lab partner passed out and crashed to the floor of the classroom as soon as he saw his own blood. Apparently, Chris had never seen himself bleed before. Needless to say, a lot of middle school drama ensued after the teacher ran over and picked his crumpled body off the floor.  Thus, I never found out my blood type.

However, if I had to guess, I am whatever blood type mosquitoes equate to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Those little bloodsuckers will NOT leave me alone.

I have to be honest though. I didn't even know this was a thing- that there are certain blood types that tend to attract mosquitoes more than the others. So, let me break it down for you.

If you have Type O blood (which I am now assuming that I do), you're completely screwed. There have been multiple published studies (outlined by healthline.com) that claim that mosquitoes crave Type O blood like it's a Snickers bar. If you have Type O blood, you're basically a mosquito magnet. Congratulations! You win West Nile Virus, Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, and Malaria.

But, here's some good news. If you're the owner of rare AB blood, mosquitoes have very little attraction to you. Don't take offense to that. Be happy about it.

Of course, blood isn't the only thing that attracts mosquitoes to humans. There are some other factors to be aware of too. For instance, mosquitoes LOVE body heat and a victim who sweats profusely. I basically have the same sweat glands as a Kentucky Derby contender.

GREAT! Yet another reason that I spend most of my summers running around the great outdoors trying to slap myself. That doesn't alarm my fellow humans at all.

Luckily, I have a good friend who owns a lawn service. He offers mosquito control which I use at my house. It works like a charm, by the way. I can actually be outside without mosquitoes tackling me to the ground and sucking blood out of me like a True Blood cast member. It's only every other place on the planet that I have to be on guard.

So, what about you? Are mosquitoes eating you alive too?