Bugs and Insect Repellent

[Turk82]

I saw insect repellent on a suggested packing list for the world and wondered if it was much of a problem. I will be staying at Pop Century from Aug 30-Sept 3. I don't mind non-biting bugs, but things like mosquestos (sp??) that bite and bug you then (itch, etc) are just miserable...are these a problem? Just in the evenings? Should I bring repellent? Do they sell it in 3oz or smaller containers so I can fly with it??? Thanks again!!!

[DisneyFr33k]

We always travel in late October/early November, so other guests who travel around you time of year would have a better idea. However, we never packed insect repellant and of the 4 visits we've had, it hasn't been a problem.

I would guess that time of year you would worry with bugs around dusk, when the real biting ones come out of the heat for the day.

[GrumpyFan]

Disney does a great job of controlling the pesky bugs in their parks. They have several different strategies for keeping the bugs away from their guests, and in my opinion, it works. We've been to WDW many different times of year, and I can't recall ever having been bit by anything, or ever thinking we should have brought some kind of repellent. I really don't think you'll need it.

[dephenn]

I've stayed there June, August, september, October, and November, and I have never used insect repellent and can't remember putting it on the kids and we have never had issues. As the last post said Disney does a fine job.

[LoriSan]

Of my 30+ trips to the World, I can only remember being bit once. I was in the big gift shop in Mickey's Toon Town Fair and I got bit by something on the side of my neck. My DH thought I was overreacting, until I got a huge red welt. I had to go to see the Nurse. The red welt took almost 6 weeks to finally fade. It looked like a hickey. Don't ask me what it was that bit me.

But to answer your question...generally, I've never had a problem w insects at the parks.

[SBETigg]

I attract mosquitos like crazy. They love me, for some reason, and the bites always blow up to epic proportions on me. But I never have any trouble at WDW. I can't remember being bitten there at all.

[joonyer]

I have experienced the skeeters at Fort Wilderness, but never had much problem at the parks or other resorts.

[VWL Mom]

I just picked up a 1 oz bottle of Cutter at Walgreens. I noticed they also had wipes.

[Turk82]

Thanks so much everyone!!! I think I'll leave the bug spray home!

[KODABEAR]

Only times we have had any problems was also at Fort Wilderness in July. We did alot of biking, canoeing and walking about the trails. Even then they weren't as bad as when we lived in Minnesota!

[biodtl]

I would take it just in case - maybe a small bottle or those wipes you can just throw in your bag. We go in early/mid October, and while the bugs weren't a big deal, there were 2 nights we had a problem. One was in MK near SM and BTMR, and the other was in the luau waiting area at Poly. they had some spray at Poly for us to use, but there was nothing in MK.

[ilovemyjj31]

The only time I would suggest bug spray is if going to Ft wilderness...its a lot of woodsy areas, and there are bugs, like skeeters!!

[thumperbug]

If I remeber I take the wipes but never had the need to use them.

[Disney Doll]

In all my trips to the World I have never noticed bugs. And if there is a biting bug within a 50 mile radius it usually finds me.

[Tez]

I got attacked once by some sort of bug inteh evening time. Not sure what it was but we travel with the insect wipes so that in case this happens again we are prepared!

[brownie]

We've never brought insect repellent with us and it's never been a problem. I think you can leave the bug spray at home.

[Mickey'sGirl]

You might encounter the nibbilng kind back behind the castle near the Speedway. I have found them alive and biting at night in the summer back there.

If you don't want to take bug spray, you might want to toss a Bounce sheet into your bag. Simply rub the sheet on your exposed parts if you are being bitten, and it will keep the offending beasties away! It's a good "Deal with them if you need to" strategy.

[OfficeNut]

I will agree that Disney does handle the bugs pretty well in the parks. I remember getting pretty bit up by mosquitoes one night at Downtown Disney though. Had four nice size welts on my legs.

FYI on the Cutter wipes... Be very careful packing these. The container will leak if you don't keep it up-right. I found out the hard way and it ate right through the finish on my kitchen table. Which makes me wonder about putting it on my skin...