Scientists' stinky method explains why mosquitoes bite people

Sicking of being bitten? Researchers may be able to help. Photo / Getty

Researchers believe they've figured out the reason why mosquitoes are attracted to some people but not others, and it could be because your socks stink.

Scientific American reports British researchers are investigating the role of human genetics to discover why some people are attractive to the bloodthirsty insects.

Researchers will collect smelly socks from 200 sets of identical and non-identical twins and put them in a wind tunnel with mosquitoes.

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Scientists hope to find owners of the socks produce attractive or repellent chemicals that could help control mosquitoes in the future.

Medical entomologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine James Logan told Scientific American "we know very little about the genetics of what makes us attractive to mosquitoes".