British scientists have found that a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes is likely inherited, a finding that could lead to new insect repellents.

"We know some people attract more mosquitoes than others," said University of Sydney medical entomologist Cameron Webb.

Pregnant women are known to be more enticing to mosquitoes, as are people with larger body weights and higher body temperatures. Differences in body odour have also been associated with mosquito attractiveness.

"We've thought this is due to the smelly chemical cocktails on our skin," said Dr Webb, who was not involved in the latest research.

"It turns out these smells that attract mosquitoes could be inherited," he said.

Given that body odour is partly controlled by our genes, researcher James Logan and his colleagues set out to find if there was a genetic link behind some people's appeal to mosquitoes.

The team exposed a common mosquito variety, Aedes aegypti, to the odour of 18 pairs of identical twins, who share the same DNA, and 19 non-identical twin pairs, who are not genetically identical.

While the study was small, it found that if mosquitoes were attracted to one identical twin they were more likely to also favour the other twin. Meanwhile, mosquitoes that liked one non-identical twin didn't necessarily want a taste of their sibling.

Dr Logan said the heritability of a person's mosquito attractiveness, or the extent in which genes are involved, was similar to the heritability of height and IQ. Their findings are published in the journal PLOS One.

"By investigating the genetic mechanism behind attractiveness to biting insects such as mosquitoes, we can move closer to using this knowledge to develop better ways of keeping us safe from bites and the diseases insects can spread through bites," he said.

Dr Webb said while the study was fascinating, it tested a species of mosquito that mostly fed on humans, and the results may not be replicated when tested with mosquitoes that feed on a wider range of warm-blooded animals.

"The reality is that mosquitoes will bite when they get the chance," said Dr Webb, from the Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity.

"Topical insect repellents, particularly those containing either DEET or picaridin, will consistently provide the best protection."

While the recent rain that has battered the NSW coast would usually provide perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, Dr Webb said the cooler weather of late would likely keep populations to less problematic levels.

"We've probably dodged a bullet with the rain," he said.

"A few weeks back and there would have been a big jump in mosquito populations."

But he said people living in northern coastal regions of NSW should continue avoiding mosquito bites.