It’s summer and our ankles are covered in mosquito bites.

So we want to know: How and why do mosquitoes suck our blood? Why do their bites itch ALL the time? Why do some people get bitten more than others? And do these pesky and possibly dangerous insects serve any kind of useful purpose?

Listen to this episode to learn more about “the most dangerous animal on the planet.”

And check out this video for an up-close look at the blood-sucking process:

Brains On! is an award-winning audio show for kids and families from American Public Media.