Mosquitos

[txaggie]

Are mosquitos a problem at DWorld? We'll be there 7/12-7/16.

Thanks,
txaggie

 

[Buzzfanmom]

When I worked at Epcot back in 1994, mosquitos were a huge problem for me. I did the college program and I used to have to wait for a bus behind the Liberty Inn to pick me up and bring back to the costume department and I would get eaten alive through my pantyhose. I would definitely bring some bug spray!!!!

 

[ziggystardust]

almost all of my trips to Disney have been in the summer months and I have never had a problem with mosquitos. There are these weird Fl only bugs called love bugs - they are supposidly there to take care of the mosquito population. While they are every where and will be stuck all over your windshield- they dont bite and dont buzz. So they arent much of a nuisence. My BF did however have some weird bites on him after visiting the AKL, I was fine. They went away after a day.

Hope this helps.

 

[tci1212]

We have gone in July and in August and we haven't had any problems. The only bugs that were a problem was in Sept one year. They were love bugs. We couldn't even sit at the pool. They don't bite but they were everywhere and on everything.

 

[Cinderella37]

The lovebugs are seasonal, May and September, I believe. We go in July and December and have never seen them before (I've also been there in June and January). Bring some sort of bug spray if you're concerned. One year I got bit by "chiggers" and my calves and ankles were three times their nomal size. Obviously I was freaking out and I called my doctor at home. He immediately knew what the bites were and he prescribed me a cortisone pack and they went away in two days, but prior to that the bites were extremely itchy and painful.

I've always packed lotion with bug spray after that. Also, don't wear fruity scented lotion, perfume, or spray, according to my doctor.

 

[Lady Cluck]

If you are staying at a WDW resort, also be careful going out in the evenings. We stayed at POFQ several years ago in mid-October. The weather was very nice, but the mosquitos were thick near buildings closest to the Sassagoula River. I was the only one in our group of 8 who had brought repellant!

 

[720L]

We were just at AK Lodge 6/13-6/20. Because of posts on the boards, I came prepared for the worst. I had bug spray, benedryl and anti itch cream. I never saw 1 mosquito. We went to story time twice (which is at dusk), and I thought for sure we would get bitten. People were saying they had huge bites that hurt and were covered with them. I am usually a mosquito magnet at home. We were also at Animal Kingdom at closing time 3 times and were never bothered.

 

[tomerin]

with me i feel at times like i am a mosquito magnet. i could be sitting out with my wife and i am getting eaten alive and she cant understand what is going on. they just dont seem to bother her at all.

on our last trip we really didnt feel the bug problem was bad at all anywhere in WDW. i have read on other threads that bugs are a problem around the waterr by the WL where we are staying. so i plan to bring my trusty bottle of off deep woods spray. i saw today that OFF also have wipes that you could easily transport in a small ziploc in your pocket.

 

[swilphil]

Late one evening last July I was bit by mosquitoes, chiggers, or something. My kids had a few bites too. I think it was from walking near the water by the Boardwalk & Swan. This July I'm bringing bug spray.

 

[bcinohio]

We will be at WDW the first week of Aug. We usually go in July or Aug. Last year while waiting for the bus at MK to go back to the ASSp resort we got eaten up. I now carry bug spray. Better safe than sorry!

 

[jwfla422]

After reading how bad it's been the past few months on the boards I packed the Avon Buguard with sunscreen for our early June trip. We used it everyday and didn't get one bug bite, but I can definitely tell ya, it was buggy! Just that time of the year.

The buguard was great because we needed the sunscreen anyway. At night we wore capri's so we just applied it to our ankles and arms so it was easily washed off before bedtime with a wash cloth and soap.

 

[Rhonna]

I've never worried about bugs at WDW. Only had two types of bug irritants I can remember.

We've had the love bugs in Sept. - annoying but they didn't bite us.

However, in late October I got some teeny little bites on my legs sitting out on the balcony of our room at AKL. They couldn't have been mosquitoes because they didn't swell up big nor itch bad. And I never saw them or felt the initial bite either. I think they must have been what's called no-see-um's. They weren't a big deal to me.

Rhonna

 

[txaggie]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll bring some repellant, just in case!

 

[soccercruiser87]

i've never really had a problem with mosquitos at all, but yea bring some bug spray just incase because you dont want mosquitos ruining your vacation

 

[Rodrigo]

The mosquitos were a problem for us in the boat ride from MK to TTC. We had to cover DS3 sleeping in the stroller.

 

[bjakmom]

I now carry bug spray. Better safe than sorry!

PLEASE take along the bug spray and be safe !! My otherwise perfectly healthy, 52 yo b-i-l was one of the 3 people who died here in NJ of West Nile Virus last year. According to the www.cdc.gov (center for disease control) website, there were 94 confirmed cases of WNV in Fla last year - 61 of those were categorized as the more severe 'neuroinvasive' type - 6 out of those 61 died. These are not huge numbers, I know, but when you remember that this is a completely avoidable disease (if you avoid getting bitten !), then you realize how important it is becoming for us all to practice safety/protection measures for ourselves and our families - and to educate ourselves about how this disease is spreading !

When we were at BWV in Jan we were impressed to see that the WDW resorts had placed warnings about WNV and Equine Encephalitis in the rooms along with safety measures. Bug spray with DEET is most effective against mosquitoes - for infants and very young children (who should not use DEET) we have also heard (and found for ourselves) that dryer sheets rubbed on their clothes and hung in the area (like on the stroller) repel mosquitoes- I personally have only used Downey, but read that other brands also work. Never get the DEET spray near your eyes/hands/mouths and do not sleep with it on - shower it off before going to bed!

Sorry to always hijack the 'bug' threads, but everywhere I go I try to spread info and encourage people to become aware of this apparently increasing viral threat - our family sure wishes we had known before it hit us so personally .

It's like wearing seat belts - protect yourself and your family- and then go have FUN !!!

 

[chewooki]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I agree with you, better safe than sorry. I did not know about the OFF cloths. I will look for these when we get there. Thanks for the info! I love these boards!

 

[kilee]

I remember last fall--- Sept- Oct the boards were covered w/ reports on awful mosquito issues at Disney. I would think since the season has pretty much begun for them-- I'd go prepared just to be safe.

I too know of a gentleman in our community who died of West Nile late last summer. On the flip side my aunt was just hospitalized w/ DEET posioning. So, you have to be careful w/ that too. Too many people put too much on-- just follow the directions and you'll be fine.

 

[JFS]

The only time we were ever bitten by mosquitos at WDW was waiting in line at FW for Hoopdedoo show at dusk.
On a different note, if you visit Vero Beach Resort definitely bring repellent. The no-see-ums (gnats) are terrible, especially when sitting poolside near shrubbery, at dusk. Also in mini golf area.
I am also one to be eaten alive while those around me aren't bothered.

 

[Fargoman2]

If you are concerned about potential mosquito problems in Orlando, you best not visit MINNESOTA in the summertime. The mosquitos here are phenomenal and we've tried everything to beat them--mosquito magnets, lawn sprays--they can't be defeated! They have us outnumbered about a billion to one.

We've gone to Orlando three straight summers and I can count on one hand the number of bugs I've had to deal with. I've never worried about bringing bug spray.

Enjoy your pest-free vacation! The only pests I would ever worry about on a trip are unwanted in-laws (JUST KIDDING!)

HAPPY 4TH TO YOU ALL.