Question
QUESTION: I have a fear of wasps and yellow jackets. My first house had wasps coming in though a broken faceplate on an electrical socket behind the refrigerator (it took months to find where they were coming from)it scared me so much that I sold the house and moved to another house.
Now I have yellow jackets coming in to this house.
My question is CAN A PERSON ATTRACT BEE'S,WASPS,YELLOW JACKET,BUMBLE BEE'S ?? Several times I will be in crowd of people and a Bee will fly over and land on me no one else just me...(also this has happened w/ bumble bee)
I have tryed changing all my soaps,detergents,deodorant,shampoo,lotion ect,ect
PLEASE HELP A SCARED GIRL.

ANSWER: Babs,

Bees and wasps are not attracted to individuals. What may be happening is that your innate fear of these insects is causing you to swat at them and this movement is attracting their attention. Usually if you ignore them they will ignore you. Certain yellowjacket wasps, the so called scavenger species, are attracted to the odor of foods so this might be a possibility at outdoor picnics but only for the yellowjackets (see http://www.livingwithbugs.com/yellowjacket_wasps.html for info about these wasps). Sorry I can't be more more specific.

Jack DeAngelis


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for responding so quickly. However I do not swat at them,that is why they land on me, Also I dont have a problem w/ them out doors but coming in to my houses....First through a wall socket, Then next house somehow through the fireplace. No one I have spoke to has had this problem even though they have owned many houses over the years and yet I have only had 2 houses and had the same problem in both.Please help if you can.
Thanks

Answer
It is not unusual for yellowjackets to enter houses, nests can be constructed in walls and chimneys and any opening into the house will let them in. One species in particular, Vespula germanica, is notorious for constructing nests in homes. If you find these wasps inside the best option is to find and treat the nest, but you may need to hire an exterminator to do this treatment. An exterminator will also have more experience at finding the nest.

Jack DeAngelis