I live on a rural piece of property, lots of woods with some open pasture land. We have several places where wasps build nest every year. I try to keep them from the eves of the house and carport. He is the problem. I can go outside and never encounter a wasp, or perhaps I don't notice them. My wife can be right with me and without fail, she will encounter one and proceed to run and flail about trying to get away from it. She has been stung once as a small child, I've been stung countless times. She has developed a deep seated phobia of wasps. Does anyone have any explanation why she encounters wasps practically ever time she goes outdoors? Does this happen to you or anyone you know? She swears they "target" her, I kinda believe her.

they like me. I get popped a few times a year. But I'm outside a lot.

When I was young, I was stung inside the ear by a winged stinger of some sort. The dang thing flew in my ear and I covered my ear. Sting!

Ever since, I just ignore them and they don't bother me. I don't run, swat or anything. Haven't been stung in many years.

scent?

It's all pheromones these day.

You're the Red Ranger of wasp.

I've always heard that certain types of bugs and insects were attracted to the smell of some .perfumes and lotions.

Tell her to start bathing with saddle soap and I would bet they will stay away.

We have a lot of the red wasps here. Ignoring them generally works, but sometimes they just decide you need to be stung. I was riding my bike and one was hovering in the road. He flew down about three feet from where he was just to pop me. Another time, Treebass was at my house and right as I was telling him they are unpredictable, one flew down and got him. They are definitely more drawn to flailing arms and freaking out, but even when you are calm and ignoring them, they still will get you occasionally.

I just don't get how she seems to encounter them everyday. Maybe I need to pay attention more.

My wife is an ant magnet. She can walk out anywhere blindfolded and where ever she stops if will be a fire ant mound.

Same problem with my girlfriend. I have come to think it is scent of lotions, hairspray, perfume, etc.

You don't notice then yet have been stung several times. She goes into hysterics everytime she see's one yet only stung once as a child. Yes,full blown phobia.
The wasp are there and possibly only she is so hyper aware of their presence.

hate the red ones - they're mean!!

JR

I believe scent could have an effect on them, I'm sure of it on those black and yellow bumble bees..
Deodorant, Cologne etc. drew them to me up north in Washington state, flying all around me and none of the other guest at the time. I changed deodorant...

The solid red wasp seem to be more relaxed in general, they get in the boot of our pontoons canopy a lot. Never been stung by one yet, with many encounters.

The red wasp with a black tail/stinger are the meanest damn things I've seen concerning wasp encounters..
I've been stung many times by those particular wasp, they'll build a nest anywhere they choose. Usually where you least expect it.. And bam, they'll hit ya..