Bees at the waterparks; time to do some pest control

[NotUrsula]

We just got back from a trip to the World, and visited both TL and BB while there. Both parks are having issues with their bee populations this summer, but BB is not over the edge yet... TL definitely is.

If I weren't TERRIFIED of bees I would have taken photos for you; at TL last week bees were hovering around the opening to every trash receptacle in the park; often 20 or more of them swarming around it. They were on the tables, on the sidewalks, on the water, and definitely in the way. All over the parks you would see clumps of people at tables or in ride lines suddenly jumping away from unseen obstacles, which of course, on closer examination proved to be bees. My DS stepped on one barefoot on a path near Summit Plummet at BB.

I know that some bees are good for keeping the landscaping healthy, but the number that are there this summer is WAY beyond that point. Disney needs to put out bee traps at the waterparks asap.

If you are allergic I recommend bypassing TL until at least late September; there is just too high a likelihood of contact there right now.

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

We just got back from a trip to the World, and visited both TL and BB while there. Both parks are having issues with their bee populations this summer, but BB is not over the edge yet... TL definitely is.

If I weren't TERRIFIED of bees I would have taken photos for you; at TL last week bees were hovering around the opening to every trash receptacle in the park; often 20 or more of them swarming around it. They were on the tables, on the sidewalks, on the water, and definitely in the way. All over the parks you would see clumps of people at tables or in ride lines suddenly jumping away from unseen obstacles, which of course, on closer examination proved to be bees. My DS stepped on one barefoot on a path near Summit Plummet at BB.

I know that some bees are good for keeping the landscaping healthy, but the number that are there this summer is WAY beyond that point. Disney needs to put out bee traps at the waterparks asap.

If you are allergic I recommend bypassing TL until at least late September; there is just too high a likelihood of contact there right now.

Wow! I am highly allergic to bees and wasp. It would really bother me to visit a water park with this problem. Although we stayed at Yacht Club in summer of 2012 there were always lots of bees at the pool every day. We couldn't eat food at the tables at the pool because we were bombarded with bees. I understand its just nature, but it's a big issue if your allergic.

 

[Sparkly]

Bees usually don't sting unless provoked, although it's a little annoying. Wasps, yeah I would stay wellll away.

 

[ethanwa]

If I weren't TERRIFIED of bees...

Don't take this the wrong way, but are you sure your perception of bees isn't magnifying the significance of them in this situation?

Bees usually don't sting unless provoked, although it's a little annoying. Wasps, yeah I would stay wellll away.

It depends on the wasp. Here in Central Florida we have a lot of mud dauber wasps, which have the long skinny body. The mud dauber species seldom sting.

Leave the bees/wasps alone and you will be fine.

Ethan

 

[RealBlast3]

I hate when people say 'leave the bees alone' and 'don't bother them' and you'll be fine. I don't think any of us are looking to bother the bees and wasps, are we? It's simply is not pleasant and is very upsetting to have to dodge them if they are covering a garbage receptacle or if they are flying all around you by a pool or water ride or flying above you while you're eating.

I always find there are people who aren't afraid of bees in life and people who are. The people who aren't afraid of them simply just do not get it. Bees/wasps whatever will land on food and water in close proximity to people and often either accidentally or whatnot, end up on people and people get stung. The fear is real and the threat is real, especially to people who are allergic and could die from a sting.

Disney needs to remedy the problem.

 

[stargazertechie]

I get it. I'm uneasy around bees. But I also understand that there is a global shortage of bees that could result in mass famine if we don't do a better job of caring for our bees.

 

[RealBlast3]

I honestly think most of the time it's not "bees" per se that are buzzing around wrecking havoc, but actually different kinds of wasps. I'm talking generally, of course. Alot of the time, people don't realize what kind of bug it is but usually, the most troublesome ones are like yellow jackets, hornets, and other kinds of wasps. I think the regular kind of honeybees do probably keep to themselves most of the time.

And when it comes to wasps, I wouldn't say there's anything all that special or helpful about them! Sure, they can help pollinate but then so do birds and lots of other insects and bees. Wasps are a nuisance. I understand that bees are kind of a protected species but Disney has the money to hire beekeepers to determine what kind of bug it is that is patrolling the waterparks. The beekeepers can remove bees, safely, if they are truly bees. If it's wasps, as I think, then it's an exterminator they need.

 

[LaurenT]

We noticed a bee problem around the soda refill stations last time we were there. I think it was TL but it might have been BB. I think it's te sugar that attracts them.
Perhaps Disney could put out something extra enticing just to lure the bees to that rather than the garbage cans and soda machines... They could put it behind bushes or something so it would sort of keep them more out of the way and less noticeable.

 

[thedonduck]

As a local Orlando-ian (orlandoite-I'm not quite sure there?) I can say we have had way more bee/wasps this year than in years past. Don't know why, but we are constantly calling our pest control to come take down nests from our siding. That could be playing into the more flying stinging bugs at TL and BB.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

UGH, this is upsetting and very stressful. I appreciate you taking the time to post about this issue.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Don't take this the wrong way, but are you sure your perception of bees isn't magnifying the significance of them in this situation?

None of us are allergic, nor are we terrified of bees, but we were at BB & TL last week, and the bee problem was out of control, especially at TL.

We had a Beachcomber Shack, and the first thing the attendant told us was that unless we were actually drinking from our mugs, they should be covered with towels. And that included holding it between sips - I tried that once, and a bee immediately went into the opening in the mug.

That level of infestation is unacceptable.

Leave the bees/wasps alone and you will be fine.

Ethan

Sorry, but that's bull. No one should have to have bees buzzing in their faces and around/in their food and drinks all day.

Disney needs to do something, ASAP.

 

[OKW Lover]

We were at Blizzard Beach just a couple of days ago and saw no bees at all.

 

[OurBigTrip]

We were at Blizzard Beach just a couple of days ago and saw no bees at all.

That's good - maybe they've done something to help with the problem. We were at BB a week ago today, and at TL this past Thursday. At BB, they were a small nuisance, but at TL they were much worse, and a real pain the entire day.

 

[bdoyledimou]

2 years ago at TL I took a swig from my refillable mug and got a mouth full of wasp -- luckily i spit it out before it stung ---

started double checking our mugs after that ---

 

[OurBigTrip]

I honestly think most of the time it's not "bees" per se that are buzzing around wrecking havoc, but actually different kinds of wasps. I'm talking generally, of course. Alot of the time, people don't realize what kind of bug it is but usually, the most troublesome ones are like yellow jackets, hornets, and other kinds of wasps. I think the regular kind of honeybees do probably keep to themselves most of the time.

And when it comes to wasps, I wouldn't say there's anything all that special or helpful about them! Sure, they can help pollinate but then so do birds and lots of other insects and bees. Wasps are a nuisance. I understand that bees are kind of a protected species but Disney has the money to hire beekeepers to determine what kind of bug it is that is patrolling the waterparks. The beekeepers can remove bees, safely, if they are truly bees. If it's wasps, as I think, then it's an exterminator they need.

These were most definitely bees.

 

[nancipants]

We were at Typhoon Lagoon yesterday and last weekend, and the bees were very noticeable. We saw them covering the drink stations and trash cans. Kind of gross.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

None of us are allergic, nor are we terrified of bees, but we were at BB & TL last week, and the bee problem was out of control, especially at TL.

We had a Beachcomber Shack, and the first thing the attendant told us was that unless we were actually drinking from our mugs, they should be covered with towels. And that included holding it between sips - I tried that once, and a bee immediately went into the opening in the mug.

That level of infestation is unacceptable.





Sorry, but that's bull. No one should have to have bees buzzing in their faces and around/in their food and drinks all day.

Disney needs to do something, ASAP.

My son was at a resort pool a few years ago over Labor Day weekend. He took a drink from his mug and felt something fuzzy in his mouth. He did get stung on the tongue.
I would have never thought of a bee getting in the little straw hole but it does happen.

 

[kam1011]

My oldest got stung a couple years ago at the turnstiles of Animal Kingdom about 10 minutes before opening. They wouldn't let us go to the first aid center to get the bee sting stuff until the park officially opened, but offered to call the paramedics. I still don't understand the logic there...

My middle got stung at HS last year as we were approaching Tower of Terror. We went to the first aid building and she fixed him up, covered him in Mickey stickers, and we were back at ToT in like 15 minutes, including walking.

Maybe I'll bring my own bee sting stuff this year...

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

Great... Were headed to the water parks Saturday and Sunday.

 

[Josh Hendy]

I want to second the opinion that these are very unlikely to be "bees" meaning honeybees, the kind that live in man-made beehives or in hollow trees, and that visit flowers and make gallons of honey.

Without having seen them, I would guess that these are actually yellowjacket wasps which usually nest in holes in the ground, or else paper wasps which build paper nests on/in buildings or hanging in trees. They look like honey bees, but they are really nasty and defensive around their nests, they can sting repeatedly, and they have a really nasty, painful sting that can cause your face or limb to swell up like ... something really swollen.

Most of the times that I've been stung have been from either purposely (dumb kids!) or accidentally disturbing wasp/hornet nests. But I've also been stung two or three times innocently, for example when a wasp landed on me then stung me when I inadvertently brushed it away. I've never been stung from drinking a liquid they were swimming around in, but it's always a danger especially in August when the wasps/hornets seem to be desperately looking for anything sweet.

Disney really has to trap or exterminate the wasps (and they don't need me to tell them that!) and if you're around wasps when you're picnicking or snacking then I'd be pretty careful and alert for bugs landing on you or your food and drinks.

One of my DDs actually got stung once at WDW, fortunately a very slight sting when she brushed some kind of wasp/hornet off her face while standing in the line for the old Little Mermaid meet & greet. All she needed was a bag of ice (provided by a snack stand CM) and the pain was gone in a few minutes. Another DD got bitten (I think) by an ant when we were exploring around the Tree of Life and she brushed up against the vegetation. The bite was small, painful and red-looking, but the medical aid station gave her some cream (presumably analgesic and antihistamine) and she stopped crying in a few minutes. So if you're unfortunate enough to be stung or bitten at WDW, talk to the nearest cast member, they know how to handle it!