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I don't think so unless you're going to be going of the paths which are well trodden or perhaps sitting in grassy or bracken areasAre ticks an issue on the Frances?
This will depend on the time of year and the weather conditions. Lots of rain in spring means more ticks. More greenery and natural growth means more possibility of ticks. There is a discussion of the issue on Gronze that is fairly recent, see here. According to what is said there (you can translate it using google chrome if you don’t speak Spanish), the predominant form of tick in Spain is not a carrier of Lyme Disease, so that might reduce whatever anxiety you have. I have not heard of large numbers of Francés pilgrims getting ticks, but if you search the forum, you will see some accounts.Are ticks an issue on the Frances?
Are the Camino paths that are less frequented possibly more prone to vegetation overgrowth along sections, causing rubbing of clothing where ticks may catch a ride?I have had ticks on two different caminos — the Olvidado and the Salvador
Yes, I bet that the fact that the Camino Francés is now overwhelmingly a walk on cleared, wide gravel paths reduces the risk a lot. Just be careful when going to pee, or sitting down for a picnic, etc etc.Are the Camino paths that are less frequented possibly more prone to vegetation overgrowth along sections, causing rubbing of clothing where ticks may catch a ride?
At home when walking at local forest preserves the few times I have returned home with a tick have been when sitting down for a break with a granola bar, and squatting low to relieve myself. You are spot on with those two things!Yes, I bet that the fact that the Camino Francés is now overwhelmingly a walk on cleared, wide gravel paths reduces the risk a lot. Just be careful when going to pee, or sitting down for a picnic, etc etc.
Some people I met had nervous ticks.I don't think so unless you're going to be going of the paths which are well trodden or perhaps sitting in grassy or bracken areas
My regular walking companion was sent a ‘selfie’ by his wife who was out with her (thankfully) all female walking group. It took him a while to figure out what the photo was of (they’ve been happily married for a very long time) and made the mistake of passing his ‘phone around our associates for a second opinion. She ‘phoned immediately thereafter and explained that she needed advice in identifying and then removing a tick from an intimate part of her anatomy. We all saw her in a different light from that day on..At home when walking at local forest preserves the few times I have returned home with a tick have been when sitting down for a break with a granola bar, and squatting low to relieve myself. You are spot on with those two things!
Great idea! I have been using an old flannel-backed tablecloth to sit on outside but when it wears out I will replace it with something lighter-colored so any buggies will be visible.I take a piece of 3'x3' tyvek folded up in my pack to sit on outside. It's sturdy, thin and weighs "nothing". It's white color would be able to alert you if a tick happened to walk on it.
I have never had a tick and I've done 4 trips. I have Lyme Disease from being bitten by a deer tick while in my back yard. There are ticks everywhere. We must be vigilant. You might want to read this article. https://euroweeklynews.com/2021/08/05/huge-increase-of-ticks-reported-in-spain/Are ticks an issue on the Frances?
On a dozen Caminos I never saw a tickAre ticks an issue on the Frances?
On the Vasco Interior...that sounds like a painful spot to get a tick, Laurie! Is it close to the Vastus Medialis?!This will depend on the time of year and the weather conditions. Lots of rain in spring means more ticks. More greenery and natural growth means more possibility of ticks. There is a discussion of the issue on Gronze that is fairly recent, see here. According to what is said there (you can translate it using google chrome if you don’t speak Spanish), the predominant form of tick in Spain is not a carrier of Lyme Disease, so that might reduce whatever anxiety you have. I have not heard of large numbers of Francés pilgrims getting ticks, but if you search the forum, you will see some accounts.
I have had ticks on two different caminos — the Olvidado and the Salvador, and my walking buddy got a tick on the Vasco Interior. I know you can’t be prepared for everything, but after my first encounter, I started carrying a tiny “tick key” (available on amazon and many different sites). Very very small, I just stick it in my first aid ziplock baggie. It works beautifully.
LOL... I have done lots of hiking on lots of trails that had bad tick problems and never got ticks. Doesn't mean that ticks were not a problem, It means I got lucky.Number of Caminos - 3. Number of ticks - 0. Buen Camino
Hi Dave, I don't think so. Others may have a different experience, but I never saw or heard of ticks. I live in Northern California and they are a huge issue here. Ditto Massachusetts, my former home. Never heard of it on the Camino. Enjoy.Are ticks an issue on the Frances?