Wasps follow you because you either smell like, or look like, or have something they want. They will also follow you if they think you are a threat to their nest.
Following you around can either be a form of threatening behavior or because they want something.
It could also be a coincidence. You and the wasp may be heading in the same direction.
Why are Wasps Following me?
If you are nowhere near a wasps nest and they are drawn towards you then something about you or what you have has triggered their interest.
However, if you have recently interfered with, or stood too close to a wasps nest, then their presence is a precursor to a sting.
Do Wasps Remember You?
Wasps do have the potential to remember you if you interact with them frequently.
Wasps are able to recognize human faces. Just like us, we are more likely to remember someone we see regularly, or at least a few times, over someone we have only met once a long time ago.
Wasps are no different in this regard, so if you wish to befriend a wasp, be sure to visit their hangout regularly. If you wish to avoid a wasp, rest assured that it will forget all about you as time passes.
Do Wasps Hold Grudges?
If you are a known offender to a wasp, they will remember you.
Because wasps can recognize human faces, if you are known to be an aggressor towards them and you happen upon the same wasps frequently, they will likely remember you and will attack if they perceive you as a threat.
If you find yourself at the unforgiving mercy of a wasp, it is best to keep calm, do not attack it, and leave as quickly as possible to avoid a sting.
You can try to smooth things over by leaving a sugary treat behind, but it is best to avoid the area where you know that particular hive of wasps frequent, and not return for some time.
Will Wasps Sting You for No Reason?
No wasps will not sting you without reason. Wasps only use their sting when they perceive you to be a threat.
Like most other animals, protection is at the top of their list of priorities. If they feel that their queen, eggs, nest, or themselves are under attack, they will sting, otherwise, it is a waste of their resources.
Wasps will not sting without cause as they prefer to save their sting for when it is actually needed.
Do Wasps Have a Good Memory?
Although not much study has been done, it appears that wasps have a fairly good memory, and a very good one when compared with other insects.
A recent study published in NewScientist revealed that wasps can still recognize each other after one week of separation. This level of memory has not been observed in other similar creatures, as it was believed that their brain sizes are too small for much memory capacity.
Why Are Wasps Attracted to Me?
Wasps may be attracted to you for a number of reasons.
You may be wearing a particular scent that they like. Wasps are attracted to sweet smells and if you are wearing a particularly sweet perfume or deodorant the wasp could be mistaking you for a flower or food source.
Wasps are also attracted to bright colors. Against this is from nature as wasps are programs to seek out high-calorie foods, that tend to be colorful, like ripe fruit.
Wasps might also be flying towards you because you are standing somewhere you are not wanted.
If you stand too close to a wasps nest for too long or are doing something near a wasps nest that might be perceived as threatening behavior (anything that involves waving your arms around, such as doing a sport or exercise) then hovering close to you is a wasps way of telling you to back off.
Will Wasps Chase You?
If you have given them a good enough reason, yes, wasps will chase you. However, they will not chase you for very long. Wasps are super protective of their nests and do not venture far from them.
So, if you are being chased by a wasp, run in a straight line for about 50-100ft. Wasps rarely, or never, go any further away from their nests than this.
However, if a wasp stings you they do leave behind an odor that allows other wasps in the area to identify and find you. So even if you have escaped one wasp’s territory, be careful of entering another.
Do Wasps Prefer Some People Over Others?
While wasps are predominantly attracted to people because of their scent or the colors they are wearing, they can show a preference for one person over others, if they have regular positive contact with that person.
Many people keep small wasp colonies as pets and interact with them frequently, therefore those wasps inevitably prefer their host human, also known as their keeper.
However, wasps can be fickle friends. Even if their keeper begins showing signs of aggression, or annoys the wasps, then they will attack.
What To Do If A Wasp Lands On You?
The first thing you should do if a wasp lands on you is to keep absolutely still.
It is most likely a wasp has landed on you out of interest, or search for food. They will soon realize that you have nothing to offer, so they will fly away in search of food elsewhere.
If you start waving your arms and trying to attack the wasp, they will try to sting you. If you want to try and encourage the wasp to leave, gently nudge it with a piece of paper. They will likely be startled and fly away.
What To Do If A Wasp Is Around You?
- Remain still
- Protect your head and face, these are primary targets for wasps
- Walk away slowly
- Run only if you have to. Wasps are fast and will outrun you if they are determined.
- Offer the wasp an open can of soda, or something sweet to land on instead. Place the soda can down and walk away until the wasp leaves.