Hi, the following link is the one you want to read about the possibility of being 'harassed' by bed bugs:
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/bed-bugs-2013/ - you will find it on this forum along with other great links to learn all about how to avoid these unwelcome critters.
I also am hesitant to spray things either on the bedding I carry or on myself, but we do need to take some precautions, so it's good to get some ideas on what to do. I have a silk sleeping bag (a sleeping liner really, but it will be hot when we start on the Camino so should suffice). Have an excellent trip and don't let the stories of being bitten along the way put you off - there are ways around it.
To be honest, I don't know whether silk liners actually work, but then, we never did come across any bed bugs (and we were there in July, so at the height of the season) - although one place we almost stayed at looked a bit suspect, and we were glad it was full. I believe the hostels are taking the bed bug problem seriously these days and try their hardest to ensure they don't get "visitors" any in their beds. You can buy bug spray anywhere in Spain. You keep your things in a cupboard provided for the purpose, and never leave anything under the bed or, indeed, on the floor. There are washing machines at most, if not all, of the albergues, so you can always put everything in on a hottish wash if you think you've come across any of the little critters.I gather silk liners repel bed bugs? Do you know if indeed this is true?
With thanks
And excellent strategy. Thank you for suggesting.I am planning to soak my sheets in red wine… and hope for the best .. sorry I am NOT making light of the subject
In a word, "no." If you treat it with permethrin, you will get the best protection possible.I gather silk liners repel bed bugs? Do you know if indeed this is true?
I have never found permethrin for treating equipment in Spain (it is in all the tourist offices of France). Are you talking about household insect spray? While household spray may work for killing bed bugs that you can see, there are few that get them where they live. It takes fairly extensive pest control treatment to remove an infestation of bed bugs. If the spray cans you can find in supermercados worked well, no one would have bed bugs in Spain! And it is toxic...You can buy bug spray anywhere in Spain.
Not so much repel them but the close weave is supposed to prevent them coming through the liner but they can get at you in other ways, eg. if you have your arms outside or if you sleep on top of the liner because of the heat, There is no 100% solution other than be as careful as you can, treat your gear and hope for the best.I gather silk liners repel bed bugs? Do you know if indeed this is true?
With thanks
Exposed flesh is almost the exclusive danger for getting bit. Head, shoulders, arms, hands, and feet are the prime candidates for bites when they are outside your sleeping bag/sack. Bites on covered flesh usually are from bed bugs that started on exposed flesh and moved up the limb! When pilgrims report that they had no problem with bed bugs even during high bed bug season, I suspect it is because they sleep completely inside their sleeping bag. DEET is somewhat effective against bed bugs, so if you are going to hang out a foot, you can get some protection by using DEET. I personally wash in the morning the areas I covered with DEET at night. I don't like using it all day unless I absolutely need to!if you have your arms outside