Insects besides bedbugs

[Seawarrior]

I have read a great deal about bedbugs in this forum, but I am interested in the other insect populations along the Camino.
Are mosquitos or other flying pests a problem? I am very sweet and seem to attract biting insects. : )

 

[MendiWalker]

I luckily have never encountered bedbugs on my different Caminos ( that doesn´t mean they don´t exist). Regarding mosquitos you may at different times of year and in different parts of Spain.

Buen Camino!

 

[mralisn]

I think you'll be just fine.

Be glad you're not walking the West Highland Way or the Great Glen Way in Scotland in the summer. Those darn midges are the WORST buggers I've ever encountered. One night, I counted 53 bites on just one forearm. Ah!

 

[Seawarrior]

I lost my temper on the Messeta at these annoying flying bugs that would hover in front of your face as you walk. And sometimes fly up your nose.

I guess I will have to pack nose plugs, as well as earplugs. I have a big honker.

 

[Seawarrior]

I think you'll be just fine.

Be glad you're not walking the West Highland Way or the Great Glen Way in Scotland in the summer. Those darn midges are the WORST buggers I've ever encountered. One night, I counted 53 bites on just one forearm. Ah!

Thanks for the heads-up. I would love to hike in the Highlands someday. That is on my bucket list after the Camino. I drove through there many years ago and found it incredibly beautiful. I am having a senior moment now, but there is a famous valley that was the scene of an infamous slaughter between the clans. Folks were killed under a flag of truce. Was Glen Coe the name?. Amazing such a wonderful place was the scene of such a heinous crime.

I hear there is a great walk out to the Mull of Kintyre. I love Scotland. Especially Edinburgh, the festivals, the Tattoo. You convinced me. I am going back. : )

 

[mralisn]

I was able to spend time in Edinburg, Sterling, and a few other small places before doing the WHW. I took a few days off before starting the GGW in Fort Williams, Oban, and Iona. Climbed Ben Nevis and then set off on the GGW. It was an incredible experience! I would highly recommend to anyone. Except for those midges, an awesome walk.

Cheers!

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Hi Seawarrior!
I, too, attract mossies. You can buy quite small aerosols of fly repellant: I also carry a mossie net to keep them off my face at night - but I've never had to use it.
It will depend on the time of year and the closeness of breeding water.
As you will probably know, they are attracted to carbon dioxide - your exhaled breath. Not that I'm suggesting you hold your breath all night!
Buen camino!

 

[caminoforme86]

I think you'll be just fine.

Be glad you're not walking the West Highland Way or the Great Glen Way in Scotland in the summer. Those darn midges are the WORST buggers I've ever encountered. One night, I counted 53 bites on just one forearm. Ah!

Ah the MIDGE!! I don't seem to get bitten by them at home, but since I've been in Poland this past year its safe to say I'd rather be back at home with the midge....mosquitos just love my whisky laced blood. And I react so badly to the bites. Can't see me living in Poland long term for this very reason! The boyfriend will just have to move to Scotland!!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Pilgrims and insect-borne diseases:

BURGOS / info / Sunday, April 6, 2014
A panel discusses the issue in Burgos on World Health Day
The Camino de Santiago transmitter may be potential diseases from insects


Pilgrim Monument in the Plaza of the Cathedral of Burgos.

The Camino de Santiago, being a transit point where pilgrims spend a lot of time outdoors, encourages the spread of zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted to animals and humans will be analyzed in a table round in Burgos on World Health Day.Councillor for Health of the City of Burgos, Marisol Carrillo, explained to Efe that bar physicians, veterinarians, pharmacists and nurses collaborate in this initiative to raise awareness of the potential seriousness of diseases transmitted by animals.President of the College of Veterinarians, Thomas Fisac, said that between 60 and 70 percent of human diseases are transmitted by animals.Marisol Carrillo added that pilgrims become occasions vehicles for the transmission of certain animal diseases, especially those related to parasites, and pointed out that Burgos is the second province of Castilla y León with higher incidence of ticks.Indeed, the technical secretary of the Medical Association of Burgos, Carmen Fernández has stressed the importance of early diagnosis of diseases caused by tick bites.Was explained that the symptoms are "very common in many kinds of diseases", especially fever, so if you are not looking for a specific diagnosis is not a specific type of antibiotics, tetracycline, and the patient can become very serious.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Mosquitos pestered me on the Portuguese route, but never on the Camino Frances.
The FLIES were horrid walking from Puente La Reina through the forest route.

 

[bauzonc]

Mosquitos pestered me on the Portuguese route, but never on the Camino Frances.
The FLIES were horrid walking from Puente La Reina through the forest route.

Same here. Got mosquito bites on camino portugues....