LIVE from the Camino Bed bugs in Sarria

[oliviaruns82]

Just a warning to those in the towns before Sarria and in the city- we found bed bugs at two different albergues before and in Sarria hiding in the cracks of the stone walls! Make sure to check the walls with your flashlight before setting up camp. One albergue owner, after we pointed them out to him, was very professional and no questions asked gave us a refund. So much better to check- better safe than sorry! Anyone else had similar experiences April 2024?

 

[J Willhaus]

We found them in Sarria in December so they could have overwintered there.

 

[stuwmson]

My wife and I always used anti bedbug sleeping bag inserts and then covering that with a 55 degree regular insert. Sleeping bags not necessary unless you are camping out.. rarely do sleeping quarters ever get colder than 55 degrees. If they do wear your next day t shirt and underwear.

 

[arfajajc]

Just a warning to those in the towns before Sarria and in the city- we found bed bugs at two different albergues before and in Sarria hiding in the cracks of the stone walls! Make sure to check the walls with your flashlight before setting up camp. One albergue owner, after we pointed them out to him, was very professional and no questions asked gave us a refund. So much better to check- better safe than sorry! Anyone else had similar experiences April 2024?

What's the expected protocol for albergues that discover bedbugs? Should they be staying open?

 

[jennysa]

My wife and I always used anti bedbug sleeping bag inserts and then covering that with a 55 degree regular insert. Sleeping bags not necessary unless you are camping out.. rarely do sleeping quarters ever get colder than 55 degrees. If they do wear your next day t shirt and underwear.

It's been absolutely freezing on the Camino this last week. I have gone to bed wearing all my clothes that I possess. Not all places supply blankets. I would have died without a sleeping bag.

 

[J Willhaus]

What's the expected protocol for albergues that discover bedbugs? Should they be staying open?

You can close off that dorm, which may or may not limit them depending on where they are hiding.

Getting rid of bedbugs is about vigilance. You can close and fumigate, but sadly they are great at hiding and that may not do the trick.

I try not to stay in places with a lot of decor or soft furnishings where the bugs can hide in or behind. Also they like to hide in wood or wall crevices so metal bunk beds are my preference. They can hide in the ceiling and travel down pipes into other rooms, too.

Look for the mattresses and pillows covered in plastic and metal bunk beds. These can all be blasted with a hot steam gun. Try not to get a bed against a wall and try to keep your stuff from touching the wall, etc. These are some of the things, I do to try to avoid them.

 

[williamlittig]

Just a warning to those in the towns before Sarria and in the city- we found bed bugs at two different albergues before and in Sarria hiding in the cracks of the stone walls! Make sure to check the walls with your flashlight before setting up camp. One albergue owner, after we pointed them out to him, was very professional and no questions asked gave us a refund. So much better to check- better safe than sorry! Anyone else had similar experiences April 2024?

NOTICE: BED BUGS FOUND IN New York / PARIS / TOKYO !

 

[Bradypus]

NOTICE: BED BUGS FOUND IN New York / PARIS / TOKYO !

Indeed. After lots of Caminos and other pilgrim routes over 30+ years I've only knowingly encountered bedbugs twice. Once in a cheap hotel in Osaka and once in my in-laws house in London. The second one led to a massive and expensive extermination programme. To a large extent the luck of the draw. They are out there and most places do their best to control the problem. But with all the best will in the world and genuine efforts at eradication the little buggers will find a way now and again

 

[oliviaruns82]

What's the expected protocol for albergues that discover bedbugs? Should they be staying

NOTICE: BED BUGS FOUND IN New York / PARIS / TOKYO

NOTICE: BED BUGS FOUND IN New York / PARIS / TOKYO !

just a warning to those starting in Sarria. We are almost done with the whole French way out of SJPP and did not find any bb staying in mostly municipal albergues before Sarria

 

[Wanderingfriend]

It's been absolutely freezing on the Camino this last week. I have gone to bed wearing all my clothes that I possess. Not all places supply blankets. I would have died without a sleeping bag.

This happened to me in 2024. May can be cold.