I recently discovered bedbugs in my sleeping bag and had to go thru the exhaustive process of stripping, cleaning and sanitizing everything I owned, losing a couple of days in the process. I am fairly certain (99%) that I picked up the bedbugs in Los Arcos in Casa Alberdi, because I woke up several times in the night with a line of bites on my arm and finger (I have had bedbug attacks before so I am familiar with them) when I stayed there. I also packed and left early because it was hard to relax after the bites.
While the place had decent facilities and the toilets were clean, the beds were filthy and the rooms were extremely overcrowded, but I had no other choice for accommodation that night.
Since I left at an unearthly hour (before anyone else woke up) I couldn’t do a thorough check of my bed for proof. Outside of the line of bites, I couldn’t find any bugs in my sleeping bag at first glance, and assumed that I had magically made it out of there without much damage. But the next night cleared that up very quickly when I got bit on a different arm throughout the night while in my sleeping bag and had bloodstains to show for it this time. I immediately informed the albergue I was in (who took immediate measures), along with the people who slept around me, and immediately went into cleanup/sanitation mode.
If you are in a similar position, here is what I recommend you do:
1. Inform the albergue(s) you have encountered them in (I informed the peregrino office as well since I had already left the albergue). Bedbugs are notoriously stealthy, so it helps to have proof. Try to catch a critter if you can, and show them the bug along with the bites. Bloodstains on the sheets can also serve as a proof of the critter bites.
2. Inform your bunk mates and neighbors, so they can decide what to do.
3. Take your stuff to a good laundry machine as soon as possible and wash everything on the highest heat possible, then dry them at the highest heat possible too. This can mean ruining some of your clothes and things, but it is what it is. If you want to be doubly sure, then put everything out under direct sunlight. If you aren’t sure about washing your shoes and rucksack, clean them out with alcohol and stick them out directly in the sun. Bedbugs can’t stand the heat, (and they don’t like lavender). Then spray everything down with permethrin, and keep them out to dry. I have also sprayed my bag with lavender essential oil. The whole process took 48 hours, but I am ready to tackle the Camino again.
On this note, I would really like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to “Hostel Punto B” in Belorado, for taking me in and helping me clean and sanitize all my stuff at this time. They became my family thru this crisis...gave me clothes, food, a warm bed and so much encouragement to continue on. God bless you Joaquin, Blanca, Sylvia and Marialuz!
While the place had decent facilities and the toilets were clean, the beds were filthy and the rooms were extremely overcrowded, but I had no other choice for accommodation that night.
Since I left at an unearthly hour (before anyone else woke up) I couldn’t do a thorough check of my bed for proof. Outside of the line of bites, I couldn’t find any bugs in my sleeping bag at first glance, and assumed that I had magically made it out of there without much damage. But the next night cleared that up very quickly when I got bit on a different arm throughout the night while in my sleeping bag and had bloodstains to show for it this time. I immediately informed the albergue I was in (who took immediate measures), along with the people who slept around me, and immediately went into cleanup/sanitation mode.
If you are in a similar position, here is what I recommend you do:
1. Inform the albergue(s) you have encountered them in (I informed the peregrino office as well since I had already left the albergue). Bedbugs are notoriously stealthy, so it helps to have proof. Try to catch a critter if you can, and show them the bug along with the bites. Bloodstains on the sheets can also serve as a proof of the critter bites.
2. Inform your bunk mates and neighbors, so they can decide what to do.
3. Take your stuff to a good laundry machine as soon as possible and wash everything on the highest heat possible, then dry them at the highest heat possible too. This can mean ruining some of your clothes and things, but it is what it is. If you want to be doubly sure, then put everything out under direct sunlight. If you aren’t sure about washing your shoes and rucksack, clean them out with alcohol and stick them out directly in the sun. Bedbugs can’t stand the heat, (and they don’t like lavender). Then spray everything down with permethrin, and keep them out to dry. I have also sprayed my bag with lavender essential oil. The whole process took 48 hours, but I am ready to tackle the Camino again.
On this note, I would really like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to “Hostel Punto B” in Belorado, for taking me in and helping me clean and sanitize all my stuff at this time. They became my family thru this crisis...gave me clothes, food, a warm bed and so much encouragement to continue on. God bless you Joaquin, Blanca, Sylvia and Marialuz!
