Walt Disney World Resort is famously built on swamp land, in fact Florida is a state recognized for its swamps and the inhabitants that live in them. One inhabitant that loves this central Florida environment is the mosquito, yet many people ask Why Are There No Disney World Mosquitoes?
Yes, you can visit WDW and not really think about Mosquitos like you might on a vacation elsewhere in the world. I have visited many times and have not been bitten a single time. Mosquito prevention is a big part of the guest experience and Disney Magic at Walt Disney World.
Preventing Mosquitoes at Disney World
Mosquitoes and bugs are annoying, but they can also be dangerous if they’re carrying diseases like Zika. Disney World has a responsibility to protect its guests and does this by employing a variety of very clever methods and a mosquito surveillance program.
Flowing Water Prevents Mosquitoes at Disney World
Mosquitoes love still water like lakes and ponds. Now you might think that there are large lakes at Disney World but for example Seven Seas Lagoon and World Showcase Lagoon both have a networked river system linked to them to ensure natural currents.
Also, water rides at the Disney Parks like Splash Mountain will always have flowing water to prevent attracting mosquitoes to them.
Carbon Dioxide Mosquito Traps Are Used at Disney World
Disney also locate Carbon Dioxide Traps throughout Walt Disney World. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we breathe out and by using these traps allows Disney to undertake further research. Disney freezes the mosquitoes that are caught in the traps and then analyses the mosquito population to work out how to best eradicate them.
Disney World Chickens Help with the Extensive Mosquito Prevention
Haven’t heard of the Disney Chickens? Chickens are kept in coops throughout Disney World to assist with monitoring the mosquito population. Chickens produce antibodies that means that they are not affected by mosquito bites and the infections they can spread.
By keeping chickens all across its property it allows Disney to monitor blood samples of the chickens and find out specifically what threats mosquitoes can pose to guest all across WDW property. This allows location specific risk identification and prevention.
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Disney World Architecture is Designed to Prevent Mosquitoes
Disney World architecture across the resort and theme parks is designed to allow water to run off it. For example, if you were able to fully inspect Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom you wouldn’t find an area where puddles or standing water could settle and attract mosquitoes. All Disney World buildings including the hotels are shaped to prevent pools of standing water.
Landscaping to Prevent Mosquitoes
Just like the architecture the plants throughout Disney World have been chosen because they will not hold water. Plants that will allow water to roll off them are used to prevent mosquitoes. You won’t see water lilies in any of the lagoons as they are the perfect location for mosquito larvae to hide and develop underneath them.
Mosquito Control Spraying
A fleet of vans will spray specific mosquito targeted insecticides twice a day. This spraying happens at around sunset and sunrise when mosquitoes are at their peak activity. No spraying is undertaken close to where guests are located but this method of mosquito control helps a lot to control the mosquito population on Walt Disney World Property.
The Use of Natural Predators at Disney World
Disney also will place natural predators throughout the property to assist with their other prevention methods. Frogs and specific types of fish are deliberate inhabitants of Disney World due to their appetites for mosquitoes and species that eat mosquito larvae. A very natural way to help prevent the pests.
Mosquito Prevention Locations at Disney World
As well as all of the above Disney World also provide Mosquito Prevention Locations where guests can use complimentary insect repellent. Most of these are located at the first aid locations inside each theme park and at the entrances of the Disney World Water Parks.
You can find all of the Mosquito Prevention Locations along with maps here.
My Experience of Mosquitoes at Disney World
As I said at the beginning of the article, I have hardly been bitten during my families Disney World vacations. At Disney World, I rarely worry about mosquito bites. This is all down to the fantastic work undertaken by Disney World. It does seem a lot of the time that there are no mosquitoes at Disney World.
Will You Still Need Bug Repellent at Disney World?
We always pack some bug repellent in your backpack as a precautionary measure. Although it is not always used it is handy thing to have. Especially if you have members of your family who bugs seem to find tasty like my son for example.
Take a look at other essentials we recommend you pack for the parks.
Making Disney World Mosquito Free
So, there you have an overview of how Disney World tackles mosquitoes. They really do so much stuff behind the scenes that you might not ever think about during your vacation to make it the magical place it is. But at the same time they are making your Disney World experience that little bit more comfortable.
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For more Disney World Content take a look at these links:
Our Disney Vacation Shirt Ideas
Packing for Disney Disney World
Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
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