Mosquito-filled National Park: Everglades named top example by experts

Experts told Travel + Leisure that Everglades National Park is the most mosquito-filled U.S. national park, and they also listed Congaree, Shenandoah, Denali and Gates of the Arctic as parks that regularly produce large numbers of mosquitoes.

Experts contacted by Travel + Leisure identify certain U.S. national parks as having especially high mosquito activity. Mosquitoes thrive where conditions are warm, humid, and wet, which supports breeding. That combination places Everglades National Park at the top of the experts' lists. Other parks named by experts include Congaree, Shenandoah, Denali and Gates of the Arctic. Noted details: - Everglades National Park was cited by multiple experts as the most mosquito-filled park because its swampy, warm, year-round conditions support breeding. - Congaree National Park's floodplain topography and spring rains create abundant standing water; an expert noted the park displays a "Skeeter Meter" to warn visitors. - Shenandoah National Park has many small pools and shaded, humid areas that can provide breeding habitat for mosquitoes. - Denali National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park experience synchronized, seasonal mosquito emergences after snowmelt creates millions of shallow pools across the tundra. - Experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were reported to recommend EPA-registered repellents such as DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus; laboratory reports cited roughly six to 14 hours of protection for some formulations, and oil of lemon eucalyptus was reported as not for use on children under three years of age. - Mosquitoes also perform ecological roles: adult mosquitoes visit flowers and can transfer pollen, some species are important pollinators for specific plants, and larvae provide food for fish and help recycle nutrients. Summary: These parks' wet, shaded and seasonally flooded habitats make mosquito activity common and, in some cases, produce large seasonal emergences. The presence of mosquitoes is reported as part of broader ecosystem functions, including pollination and serving as food for other animals. Undetermined at this time.