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yes it is unless you want the bugs?Hi, I've been told to spray everything - rucksack, sleeping bag, clothes etc before I go but I don't like the idea of the chemicals - can anyone tell me firstly if it's necessary - I'm walking in July and secondly are there any natural products?
M
I do like the expression "Spraying and Praying"! I have heard that Silk sleeping bag liners are also good, assuming that you don't roll around too much during you sleep. I am going to be trying this method in a few weeks.
Having been bitten on both of my caminos, this is one of my favourite topics. Many people do not react to bedbug bites so they never know if they have encountered them. There is, quite simply, no easy way to manage this risk on the camino. You will hear all kinds of things. Feel free to try them all. They probably won't do either harm or good, and you'll never know what worked and why.I have heard that...
It was a bit ambiguous, but I'm guessing that Nathanael's response "yes it is unless you want the bugs" was a direct response to the question "can anyone tell me firstly if it's necessary." Nidarosa is pointing out that it makes no sense to say it is "necessary" if it is not effective, and that is the information that doesn't seem to exist. If Nathanael just meant that bedbugs are common on the camino and some attention is necessary, then I'd agree.@nathanael : What do you base that assumption on?
Just returned five fantastic weeks St Jean to Santiago never saw rain or a single bed bug, have a wonderful timeHi, I've been told to spray everything - rucksack, sleeping bag, clothes etc before I go but I don't like the idea of the chemicals - can anyone tell me firstly if it's necessary - I'm walking in July and secondly are there any natural products?
M
Wait until you experience bed bug control on the Chemin du Puy! Many places will put your backpack in a plastic bag, and only let you and your sleeping bag into the dortoire. One place did not allow sleeping bags, and supplied a laundered cotton sack to pilgrims. They take their bed bug control very seriously.I am going to do it Le Puy-SJPdP this year, so I didn't let them win!
I agree. My record is perfect - confirmed bedbugs on 2 out of 2 caminos. Maybe the October timing is a factor. Assuming that I'll encounter them takes the uncertainty away. They are a nuisance but I have a plan. I can deal with them. Assuming their presence is also a good precaution when you arrive home.I think you need to assume you're going to get bedbugs... Knowing I had a plan to eradicate them made the psychology of having them easier to deal with while walking.
Annie, in defence of @nidarosa's comment, I think I ventured an opinion in another thread about the effectiveness of permethrin as a repellant, not as an insecticide. This same point, that it is not effective as a repellant, has been made here again by @falcon269. I recall reading that there are concerns that some strains of bedbugs have developed a high level of tolerance for permethrin as an insecticide, but it still appears to be the best treatment available at present.There may be "no scientific evidence" that permethrin works.
However, I don't know of any person who has sprayed the outside of their pack and sleeping bag who has gotten bitten.
Is there any such person on this forum?
The warning on all permethrin products is to use it outdoors or in a well ventilated area, do not breathe it, and do not get it on you skin when wet. I would say these three ladies were not using it properly.I was staying in a small room for six people. Three ladies began spraying their bunks with something.
I was staying in a small room for six people. Three ladies began spraying their bunks with something. I could see that about 5% of the spray was going on the sheet and 95% into the air which others would be breathing..
They did not ask us if we minded. I did mind, but I had not the energy to say anything. I do not want to be a room with smokers or have chemicals polluting the air I am going to be breathing all night.
chemicals bad yes but so are bed bugs and scabies.Hello there!
I walked Camino last July and no bed bugs. I think the chemical things are bad idea.. I was prepared for this problem and I had an essential lavender oil - I've read it helps and it's natural + beautiful smell!
Of course it's the best way, but I meant it's bad for you and people around (meaning of health reasons - for e.g. inside of albergues)..chemicals bad yes but so are bed bugs and scabies.
Ialso spray my back pack and sleeping bag thinking of soaking a single sheet in permetherin to us on top of bed also.I would imagine, during pilgrim season, most albergues are sprayed each day when people leave and it's probably part of the cleaning.
So if you're trying to avoid chemicals completely, I think you're probably out of luck.
When I spray a bed (on those rare occasions I stay in albergues these days), I use a pump spray and I spray a few inches above my OWN bed.
I do my best to be sure nobody else is in the room, or at least near my bed.
But the sprays I use are heavy and fall directly on my bed, not into the air around me.
Since Falcon convinced me to use permethrin on the outside of my pack and my sleeping bag, I don't spray at all.
I am on disability for Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and I can not tolerate most chemicals.
But the permethrin, once dry, has no odor and I have no reaction to it because my body never touches it.
It is on the OUTSIDE of my sleeping bag, not on any part that touches me.
I also do as my blog says, and I carefully watch for signs of bedbugs.
If I find signs, I don't stay in that albergue, and I've never had anyone refuse a request for money back.
There is simply no way you are going to be able to control what people wear or spray in albergues. There is also no way you are going to make them polite if they have not been trained to be polite.
If you are bothered THAT much by fragrances or chemicals (as I am) or by rude pilgrims, you would be smart to find yourself a walking partner (or 2-3) who is/are willing to share a private room with you.
Often, you can rent a double or a quad for as little or even less than you will pay for a dorm bed.
That way, you can have better control of your environment.
Except for that, you can complain until God comes, and it isn't going to change the fact that when you are sharing space with a group of people somebody is probably going to do something you don't like. I gripe all the time about headlamps in my eyes and rustling plastic bags, but it hasn't stopped their use on the Way
Being able to accept that and live in a different way for 6 weeks or NOT being able to accept it can make or break your Camino.
::shrug::
You may well be right here, Annie. One morning on the Francés we had just stepped out of our albergue private room and encountered the hospitalero in the hall. Immediately, he grabbed a canister-looking-something off the wall and opened the door to the room we had just vacated. Within a fraction of a second he was back out, closing the door to the room and replacing the canister on the wall. I don't know what he did with that canister when he opened the door, but my guess is that he didn't take the canister off the wall for nothing.I would imagine, during pilgrim season, most albergues are sprayed each day when people leave and it's probably part of the cleaning.
So if you're trying to avoid chemicals completely, I think you're probably out of luck........
When I spray a bed (on those rare occasions I stay in albergues these days), I use a pump spray and I spray a few inches above my OWN bed. But the sprays I use are heavy and fall directly on my bed, not into the air around me.
I am on disability for Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and I can not tolerate most chemicals. But the permethrin, once dry, has no odor and I have no reaction to it because my body never touches it.
It is on the OUTSIDE of my sleeping bag, not on any part that touches me.
in fact just finish soaking a fitted sheet and is dry on line till dry am all set backpack, sleeping mat a fitted sheet all sprayed with P. off on July 20 Norte here I come.Ialso spray my back pack and sleeping bag thinking of soaking a single sheet in permetherin to us on top of bed also.
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