How To Prevent Mosquitoes In Your Yard The Disney World Way

There are plenty of reasons that Disney World is the happiest place on earth. But in addition to the rides and the endless character encounters, the lack of mosquitoes is pretty magical for those prone to itchy red bites. The feat is particularly impressive given that the popular theme park sits in an area of Florida that was once thousands of acres of swampland. But unlike the strategies Disney World cast members use to keep the magic alive behind the scenes, the tactics for keeping mosquitoes out of the House of Mouse are fairly well-known.

A pest-free space was one wish Walt Disney wasn't leaving to chance. Not only are their bites itchy and annoying, but mosquitoes can carry diseases such as Zika, dengue fever, or West Nile virus. So, rather than simply wave a magic wand, planners didn't just double up on preventative methods — they layered on a whole bunch of science-backed ways to keep mosquitoes away.

Disney himself tasked retired Army Maj. Gen. William "Joe" Potter — who dealt with malaria-laden mosquitoes while serving as governor of the Panama Canal Zone — with helping design the property's mosquito-control infrastructure. His tactics involved doing away with any sources of stagnant water, relying on an unexpected mosquito repellent, and using predators to help keep the population under control. And while you may not have Disney's resources, you can borrow some of these same mosquito-control tactics for your own yard.

One way to keep yourself out of hot water when it comes to mosquitoes is to limit any stagnant water. That's where mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs, so removing those sources from your space can help prevent them from breeding and multiplying. Disney's structures are intentionally curved to prevent rainwater from pooling on rooftops. And the park is outfitted with a massive drainage system and plenty of fountains in the bodies of water to keep everything moving.

But you don't need to bring in an architect to follow Disney's lead. Instead, take stock of any bird baths, buckets, or other spots where water might accumulate in your yard. If you can't fully remove them, consider treating them with Mosquito Bits, pellets that can destroy mosquito larvae. Plant selection is also key, as Disney is careful not to plant any flora that might collect moisture, like water lilies. Instead, consider adding mosquito repellent plants to your yard, like lavender or eucalyptus.

Covering the park in pesticides might detract from the magic, so planners have also used a more natural repellent. Liquid garlic serves as a turn-off for mosquitoes, so they cover the parks in trace amounts. Consider using a ready-made commercial garlic spray for your yard or create a DIY version by mixing minced cloves with water. You can also plant garlic around your patio to potentially help deter pests. Disney also releases predators — specifically parasitic wasps — that gobble up mosquitoes while leaving human visitors unbothered. At home, you could instead consider a mosquito trap, such as a bug zapper or carbon dioxide-baited trap.