Mosquitos

[Father Robinson]

Am I the only one that has never gotten bitten by a mosquito in WDW? Been there almost every year for almost 15 years, spent a ton of time outside at night, and never once got bit. I assume Disney takes certain measures, such as growing plants that naturally repel bugs, etc... but I know they can't spray the area with chemicals unless they inform guests way ahead of time. Anyone else been this lucky while spending many summer nights on the site of a former swamp?

 

[Mouse_Trap]

Same, have never seen them.....but it's not just Disney either it's exactly the same at Universal, the 192 and i-Drive areas.

No idea what they do......but compared to Mediterranean resorts where we've come home covered in bites, never had 1 in Florida.

 

[Master Yoda]

The information I have on their pest control measures is about a decade old so things have most likely changed.

Plants vs Mosquitoes (citronella is the go to one of choice) are largely useless. You might be able to keep a single deck of your house clear with a few, but that is the extent of effectiveness. To my knoledge they are not used at WDW in any measurable capacity.

Disney does spray daily, (twice daily last I heard) but it is in the rivers, canals, retention ponds, etc to kill larva. They will also use spray trucks to kill mature mosquitoes, but avoid guest areas whenever possible.

They also use an array of traps and natural predators to control mature mosquitoes.

 

[EpcoTim]

Mosquitoes can't afford Disney.

 

[KordovaJD]

I think EpcoTim has it right.

I didn't get a single bite last week, nor did my wife. Although my daughter picked up a great big nasty mosca bite in the Epcot Character Meet Spot. Otherwise, not a thing.

 

[DManRightHere]

The information I have on their pest control measures is about a decade old so things have most likely changed.

Plants vs Mosquitoes (citronella is the go to one of choice) are largely useless. You might be able to keep a single deck of your house clear with a few, but that is the extent of effectiveness. To my knoledge they are not used at WDW in any measurable capacity.

Disney does spray daily, (twice daily last I heard) but it is in the rivers, canals, retention ponds, etc to kill larva. They will also use spray trucks to kill mature mosquitoes, but avoid guest areas whenever possible.

They also use an array of traps and natural predators to control mature mosquitoes.

Amazing, especially with so many homes in FL have to use mosquito nets to cover their entire back yards!

 

[LAM378]

Got bitten up by mosquitoes like crazy a couple weeks ago at Beach Club and in Epcot. Many, many mosquitoes that week, the small ones with black and white stripes. I'd felt comfortable not bringing bug repellent after two mosquito-free trips last year, but I'll never travel to WDW without it again.

I don't know what was worse at BC, the mosquitoes or the snakes. A little too much wildlife on this trip.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Considering the place literally used to be named Mosquito County, I can assure you, they spray the carp out of the place.

They also do a good job of eliminating standing water around the resort areas.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Mosquitoes love me but I haven't ever had a problem with them at Disney.

 

[JoeCamel]

Lots of midges some mornings during rope drop at the MK but no skeeters. They do spray and spray and spray and it works.

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

Never got bit by a mosquito, but I've been stung by a bee outside Jungle Cruise

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I had never gotten a mosquito bite in WDW until last May. Watching the movie under the stars at POR, I was practically eaten alive! I had so many bites from sitting out there. I had bug spray on too, but some natural kind that I use on my daughter w/sensitive skin. It has always worked for her, but apparently not for me.

 

[Tink28]

My Mum always gets bitten in Spain/Balearic Islands, if there were 1000 people and 1 Mosquito she would be the one bitten, they just love her! She was also diagnosed with Malaria after a visit to Menorca once when taken ill when we returned but has never been bitten in WDW and we have never used bug spray or anything

 

[Gomer]

I think these little guys mitigate the problem a bit as well. They are an annoyance in their own right, but they eat mosquitos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovebug

Edit: Never mind. That is apparently a myth. Oops.

 

[popcenturylover]

Didn't get one bite on our trip last week!

 

[Master Yoda]

I think these little guys mitigate the problem a bit as well. They are an annoyance in their own right, but they eat mosquitos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovebug

Edit: Never mind. That is apparently a myth. Oops.

You are correct that love bugs don't eat them but dragonflies do. They are one of the natural predators Disney uses.

 

[LAKid53]

I think Disney, in addition to using natural pest control methods (bats love mosquitos and I've notice purple martin bird houses around the properties), probably also sprays at night (that beeping sound you hear at 3:00 AM? It's not the bus for EMH, but the truck spraying mosquito repellant ). Because I very rarely see flies, either. Rabbits, snakes? Yes. Mosquitos and flies, never. I live in North Florida and unless we've had a very cold winter to kill the larva, the mosquitos are a problem even during daylight. Forget about going out at dusk or dark without bathing in OFF.

Take if from someone whose lived in Florida nearly 50 years. Citronella candles and Avon Skin So Soft are NOT effective mosquito repellants. The only thing that works is either a repellant like OFF, regular spraying or screening (and keep it repaired; nothing is worse than sitting around a screened in pool/patio area and getting dive bombed by the one mosquito that found the hole in the screen). Or hang a bat box or two in the trees around your house if you don't want to use pesticides. Bats consume thousands of mosquitos. Many of the large commercial properties in my town have several bat boxes up around the required storm water retention ponds to mitigate the mosquito problem. Always said that the official state bird of Florida should be the mosquito, not the mockingbird.

 

[LAKid53]

I think these little guys mitigate the problem a bit as well. They are an annoyance in their own right, but they eat mosquitos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovebug

Edit: Never mind. That is apparently a myth. Oops.

Lovebugs are only a problem if you are driving on the interstates in the fall - and forget to wash the smashed bugs off the front of your car - the acid in their little bodies will damage the paint on your car.

 

[Gomer]

Lovebugs are only a problem if you are driving on the interstates in the fall - and forget to wash the smashed bugs off the front of your car - the acid in their little bodies will damage the paint on your car.

Or when they land in your food while "getting together". Happened multiple times to me on one trip.

 

[LAKid53]

Got bitten up by mosquitoes like crazy a couple weeks ago at Beach Club and in Epcot. Many, many mosquitoes that week, the small ones with black and white stripes. I'd felt comfortable not bringing bug repellent after two mosquito-free trips last year, but I'll never travel to WDW without it again.

I don't know what was worse at BC, the mosquitoes or the snakes. A little too much wildlife on this trip.

Hum. Might rethink my "there are no mosquitos at Disney since they spray like crazy" and bring a small can of OFF next weekend.