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I’m a mosquito magnet. They seek me out like a lioness seeks her prey. Focused. Creative. Dedicated. And when they bite, they leave huge, itchy welts that even strangers can’t help but point out and say, “Oh, my God! What happened to your leg?”
So naturally, I do my best to keep mosquitoes away from my home. I don’t have water features or birdbaths, and I’ve even set out mosquito-repellent plants by the front door. But the little buggers still make their way to my patio, and even find me in my house, so I’m always looking up tips and tricks to keep these pesky bugs away. Recently, I was searching online for new tactics when I found a viral video claiming that Walt Disney World had discovered the secret to mosquito-free living.
This video, and many others like it, claim that the cast members at Disney World work hard to keep the theme park relatively void of mosquitoes, despite its location in the humid, bug-prone locale of central Florida. And fans of the resort agree that the resort is surprisingly bug-less. So what’s Mickey’s secret?
To be clear, Disney World doesn’t officially divulge its anti-mosquito tactics. The theme park’s FAQ page addresses its methods by simply stating: “We have an extensive mosquito prevention and monitoring program across property.”
But these tactics can be traced back to one of the original masterminds behind the resort:
Army Maj. Gen. William “Joe” Potter. Walt Disney personally hired Potter for his engineering, logistical planning, and pest-control experience, and according to Christoper Lucas, author of “Top Disney: 100 Top Ten Lists of the Best of Disney,” Potter had developed extensive knowledge of pest control while battling swarms of malaria-carrying mosquitoes in the Panama Canal Zone during his time as governor in the 1950s.
The viral video, posted by @disney_dad1, goes over some of these tactics, which include having no stagnant water on property.
“First, Disney doesn’t let water sit still,” the video explains. “No standing puddles. Everything drains fast. Fountains flow constantly. Even decorative moats have circulation.”
The video also claims that the resort has many “natural predators” like dragonflies, birds, and bats that keep the mosquito population low.
“Disney basically created a little ecosystem where mosquitoes lose every time,” the video reports.
Finally, @disney_dad1 adds that workers “lightly spray the parks with a garlic-based repellent.”
Do these tactics really work? And can they help your home stay mosquito-free? Here’s what the experts say about Disney’s alleged tactics and how they can help make your home less mosquito-friendly.
Remove standing water
One of the best ways to control your mosquito population is to avoid having standing water, says Geremy Yamamoto, founder of Eazy House Sale, a real estate development firm based in Los Angeles.
“You can’t have any standing water in your yard if you really want to keep it mosquito-free,” he says, explaining that mosquitoes only need a few tablespoons of still water to lay their eggs and breed.
Yamamoto recommends regularly checking your yard for any potential breeding grounds such as bird baths, clogged gutters, and even small puddles.
“If you have any areas where water tends to collect, try filling them with sand or gravel to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs,” he says.
Andy De, lawn division manager at Truly Nolen Pest Control, says to look for standing water in toys, buckets, decorative pots, tarps, and wheelbarrows.
But what if you can’t help but have standing water? If you have an outdoor pond or aquarium, Yamamoto says to consider adding fish that feed on mosquito larvae.
“The mosquito population in your yard can be effectively managed through this natural method,” he says, noting that goldfish, guppies, minnows, and tilapia are known to consume mosquito larvae.
If you have a swimming pool that isn’t used much, make sure you empty and clean it regularly, especially during mosquito season, Yamamoto says.
“An unused or poorly maintained swimming pool that remains filled with water will develop into a mosquito breeding site,” he notes.
Invite mosquito predators
Lisey Good, founder of Wild Cohasset, a nonprofit dedicated to saving native plants and animals, says that having natural predators like dragonflies, birds, and bats is a great way to keep the mosquito population down. One of the best ways to attract these mosquito-eaters, she says, is to add plants that attract them. She recommends black-eyed Susan, swamp milkweed, Joe Pye weed, white yarrow, and meadow sage.
“Some of these plants may have ‘weed’ in the name,” she says, “but they are lovely, often fragrant perennials that will also attract hummingbirds, songbirds, and butterflies.”
She also advises homeowners to reduce their light pollution.
“When you use a lot of strong artificial light around your property, your local predatory insects spend too much time distracted by it when they should be resting,” Good explains, noting that this makes them less efficient at hunting.
If you’re not opposed to bats, Good recommends installing bat houses. She says these shelters are best placed in spots that will get a lot of sunlight, preferably near trees. The bats will be happy, and the mosquitoes will be gone.
Use protective scents
While experts agree that avoiding standing water and employing mosquito predators are efficient ways to deter the pests, it turns out that garlic probably isn’t. A recent study found that certain essential oils, including garlic oil, deterred mosquitoes, but only for a couple of hours. Another study showed garlic kept the mosquitoes away for only 30 minutes.
But other natural scents can ward off bugs. Yamamoto says that citronella is a natural mosquito repellent that comes from plant sources, and using citronella candles throughout your outdoor area creates a protective barrier against mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes also avoid lavender, basil, rosemary, peppermint, and marigolds. These could make a more beautiful garden that you’ll be able to enjoy without fear of being bitten.