Why do mosquitoes hover over our heads?

Question

So I play soccer in evening at a nearby park. I noticed many times that after the game and even during it many mosquitoes hover over some of us. They sort of form a structure like a tornado. The more the one is sweaty, the more the mosquitoes. What can be the possible reason?

Answer 1

Hello!

Mosquitoes (females, specifically) are attracted to a component in our sweat, called lactic acid. They are also attracted to our body heat and breath. Essentially, they are just searching for a meal. The "smellier" a person is, the more mosquitoes they will attract!