When a bee or wasp lands on you, it usually signals an investigative or foraging mission rather than an aggressive attack. These insects rely on highly tuned senses to locate food sources, and their decision to land is typically a behavioral response to something they perceive as nectar, a potential meal, or simply an interesting scent. Understanding these motivations is the first step toward reducing their attention.
Are They Bees or Something Else?
The insect landing on you is frequently not a true bee, but a member of the wasp family, such as a yellow jacket, which exhibits a more persistent and aggressive behavior around human activity. You can distinguish the two by their physical appearance and body shape. True bees, like honeybees and bumblebees, have rounder, robust bodies covered in fine, fuzzy hairs that help them collect pollen.
Wasps and yellow jackets feature a sleek, streamlined body with a visibly narrow “waist.” Their bodies are typically smooth and shiny, lacking the dense hair of a bee. Yellow jackets are predatory and are often the most likely candidates to persistently hover around human food and sugary drinks, especially later in the summer when their natural food sources become scarce.
Scent and Taste Attractants
Insects possess a strong sense of smell, which they use to locate food from a significant distance, drawing them to various human products. Floral-scented perfumes, lotions, and hairsprays can mimic the chemical signature of nectar-producing flowers, causing foraging insects to land and investigate. Even the residue of sugary drinks or sticky food on your skin or clothing can be mistaken for a viable food source.
Certain bee species, commonly known as sweat bees, are specifically attracted to the salts and minerals present in human perspiration. Some chemical compounds found in household products may unintentionally trigger an insect’s alert system. For instance, the scent of banana contains a chemical that closely resembles the alarm pheromone released by honeybees when they feel threatened. This chemical confusion causes the insect to investigate the perceived threat more closely.
The Role of Color and Clothing
The colors and patterns you wear play a significant role in how bees and wasps perceive you, as their vision differs substantially from ours. Bees see the world in green, blue, and ultraviolet light. Bright colors like blues, purples, and certain yellows can visually mimic the appearance of nectar-rich flowers, encouraging a bee to land and investigate.
Conversely, dark colors such as black, deep blue, or red (which bees perceive as black) can trigger a defensive reaction. Many of the bee’s natural predators are dark, leading the insect to associate dark masses with a threat. Light, neutral colors like white, khaki, or light gray are the least provocative and are recommended for minimizing unwanted attention.
Safely Handling the Situation
When an insect lands on you, remain calm and avoid any sudden movements, as swatting or flailing can provoke a defensive sting. Quick movements are perceived as threatening and can cause the insect to release alarm pheromones, which signal other nearby insects to join the perceived attack.
If the insect persists, move slowly and deliberately away from the area, perhaps walking gently into a shaded space. To encourage the insect to leave your person, you can try gently blowing on it, as the puff of air often startles them into flying away without causing alarm. To prevent future landings, consider covering all sweet beverages outdoors and avoiding strong floral or fruity fragrances when spending extended time outside.