OKW Mosquito Question

[Tootsietoo]

Last summer we experienced a lot of mosquitos outside our villa. The first night at least 8 hitched a ride on my arms and legs when I entered the door and there were at least five already in the room when we first got there. The next morning I called mousekeeping and they sprayed outside my door. That really helped. Has anyone had mosquito problems this summer? We'll be there this Saturday. Thanks.

 

[rinkwide]

Had the same problem in our one-and-only stay at OKW.

Look at it this way, at least you've got extra square-footage to store all the calamine lotion.

 

[DebbieB]

What building # were you in? I would think there might be more of a problem with the buildings close to the canal.

 

[T.E. Yeary]

rinkwide,

 

[dianeschlicht]

Or maybe you need to let in one of those little lizards to eat the mosquitos that hitch a ride in! We even had a frog in our front hall closet last trip!

 

[Granny]

Spent 13 nights at OKW in June/July this summer. I don't rememeber any mosquito issue at all at building #17.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I stayed in building 48 this year, and didn't have a problem.

 

[JimMIA]

You are likely to have some level of mosquito problem just about anywhere in Florida, especially if you are here during the wet season (summer). Unless you are in an area with fairly constant breezes, you'll probably have some mosquitos. A more wooded area like OKW is likely to have more, especially right around the edge of the woods in the still air, and especially at night.

The best mosquito repellant, believe it or not, is Avon Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil, diluted 50% with water. It repels mosquitos, and unlike most commercial products, it neither attracts biting flies (horseflies, deerflies, etc.) nor does it contain any harmful chemicals.

 

[beccasmom]

We avoid sitting on the porch after it gets dark and yes, I believe the problem is worse if you are near the canal, which is our preferred view! We also noticed they are worse in Epcot if you are near the bridge going over to France....we sat there for Illuminations one night and never went back, though it is a great spot. Yikes!

 

[rinkwide]

Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil

That's a myth started by a less-than-scrupulous Avon Lady. Wearing that stuff is almost like ringing the dinner bell. Go ahead and Google it for yourself. But hey, if you like believing in old wive's tales give it a shot, just be ready with the Campho Phenique (oh, and stay out of the pool for an hour after you eat).

 

[JerJan]

If it's a tale....oh, well! Let's just say that it has ALWAYS worked for me. I am a former (NATIVE) Floridian (South and Central) and I have always used that exact potion that Jim is referring too (I see he's a Floridian too) even in Bimini, Vero and HH for the no-seeums. HMMMMMMMM.......maybe it only works on the NATIVES!

 

[Tootsietoo]

What building # were you in? I would think there might be more of a problem with the buildings close to the canal.

We were in building 12. There was a lot of greenery. What we did each night was use insect repellent wipes when we got off the bus and then try to get into the room as quickly as possible. I'll put some in the suitcase for this trip.

 

[JimMIA]

If it's a tale....oh, well! Let's just say that it has ALWAYS worked for me. I am a former (NATIVE) Floridian (South and Central) and I have always used that exact potion that Jim is referring too (I see he's a Floridian too) even in Bimini, Vero and HH for the no-seeums. HMMMMMMMM.......maybe it only works on the NATIVES!

Nope...it works for non-natives as well. We use it a lot at Everglades National Park, and when we get our new seasonal employees each year, it's one of the first things we tell them about - right after sun block and hydration.

I've been using it now for about 30 years, and it works as well for me as Cutter's or Deep Woods Off, and without the DEET or the biting fly problems.

 

[CarolMN]

Does Florida have any reported cases of the West Nile virus - ineither humans or horses? We have to be especially careful of mosquitos here in Minnesota because of it.

Best wishes -

 

[goofydad621]

Does not work for me but it does for my wife and youngest daughter. Some people are just more prone to the little blood suckers thats all. I live in New Hampshire and fish allot our misquito's are big and hungry, I've been known to
put a brick or big rock on my little one's lap just so she don't get caried away. Put ont he S-s-S and she is fine, put it on me and I look like the alien in Lilo and Stitch after the mosquito banquet.

Woodsman is the anwser for me (also keeps mother in laws, dogs and nosey neighbors away)

Dave

 

[sssteele]

My wife swears by the stuff, but it does nothing for me. However, when we're unprotected, I get bit, but she doesn't. If she wasn't wearing SSS, would she be bit? Maybe I wear a fragrance mosquitoes like, and she wears one they don't like. "Consumer Reports" magazine did a "scientific study of insect repellents, and concluded that Avon's Skin so Soft worked poorly, if at all compared to other products. If it works - use it.

 

[JimMIA]

Does Florida have any reported cases of the West Nile virus - ineither humans or horses? We have to be especially careful of mosquitos here in Minnesota because of it.

Best wishes -

Florida has had no human cases. From my interpretation of the data at CDC, it looks like we've had a number of positive tests in "Sentinels," but from a brief look, it is difficult to tell what those are. The charts say may be birds or horses. However, if you check horses there are none, if you check birds there are only six, all in Pinellas County (St. Pete), but it looks like there are several dozen "Sentinels" The vast majority of the positive Sentinel tests have been from two counties - Pinellas, and Walton, which is way out in the Panhandle.

BTW, I checked some reputable websites, and Skin So Soft Bath Oil is pretty low-rated for staying power. In my particular case, I have had different experience; works great for me, and we have some pretty fearsome mosquitos in the Everglades. I guess like most things which interact with your skin, it works differntly from person to person.

 

[Tootsietoo]

Hi,

Glad to report that the mosquitos weren't an issue , except on the boat to DTD; and we just used the repellent wipes and were fine. We were in building 17.

 

[bjakmom]

According to the CDC website for West Nile http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&controlCaseCount04_detailed.htm
there have been 3 confirmed human cases so far this year in FL, no deaths - in fact my niece is a nurse in Tampa and just mentioned the local concern over these cases to me yesterday. In 2004 FL had 41 confirmed cases, 33 of which were neuroinvasive (severe and usually with long-term complications) and 2 deaths - in 2003 FL had 94 cases (61 neuroinvasive) and 6 deaths. Please take this disease seriously and take care to protect yourselves and your children from biting mosquitoes - we lost my brother-in-law at the end of 2003 to WNV - he was only 52 and otherwise completely healthy. Cases of WNV increase greatly towards the end of the season as the virus spreads from birds to mosquitoes to humans throughout the summer months. We wish we had known then what we now know about WNV - it is a completely preventable disease if you DON'T get bitten !! - Last summer they were putting information/prevention brochures in the WDW resort rooms to warn/educate guests.

PS: my mom was just released from the hospital after contracting a dangerous form of malaria from a tick bite - she was the 3rd person (that she actually knows and is aware of) in her development to be hospitalized in the last year for this - the local Drs are saying they've never seen it before in NJ and it is increasing - if you have flu like symptoms that do not abate after a few days, get to a Dr. - any high fevers and chills or neuro symptoms like eye spasms - get to the ER !