Are mosquitos seasonal on the Camino?

[Peregrinopaul]

Reading a few comments on @MARSKA's live thread, I'm curious about this.
Being an "open-the-window" freak, and having been successful on many occasions, I can't recall having had any problem with mosquitos. But I always go in late-May to June. Maybe only a problem after sustained wet weather?
My eventual conversion to the (mostly) private-room option has been very much influenced by my aversion to closed rooms.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Aside: how do you edit a typo in a thread title?

 

[C clearly]

Aside: how do you edit a typo in a thread title?

I'm not sure if you can, but you just wish it so (maybe document your wish to a moderator) and it just happens.

 

[dick bird]

I am tempted to say one can enjoy mosquitoes at any time of the year, so long as you cook them properly, but no, mosquitoes are not common in the north of Spain, and the ones you get are not vectors of disease.

 

[Kirkie]

You may not be able to access this article, but you might find it elsewhere. If you would like it, send me a pm. It is an article relating to Ireland, but we are only a hop, skip and a jump from any Camino!

Ireland told to prepare for mosquito-borne diseases spreading
https://www.e-pages.dk/irishtimes/3...id=ie.irishtimes.ereader&vl_app_version=5.4.4

 

[WGroleau]

From 2015 to 2019, I spent a total of seventeen months from Pamplona to Muxia without ever seeing, hearing, or feeling a mosquito. Earliest was 12 March; latest was 16 November. Every month between.

 

[Anhalter]

Since i walked both my Camino Frances' in May/June i can't speak for the other times of the year, but in this season i encountered no Mosquitos (or none that i remember).
Since they usually really seem to like my blood, i was pleasantly surprised to not be bothered.

 

[Simperegrina]

On my recent Frances, a good number of us got bitten on the Los Arcos to Viana/Ponferrada stage on 1 Oct. It stood out as the only stage I can think of where they were biting.

 

[Xali1970]

Mozzie season is getting longer across Europe:
I had to contend with mozzies in France Late November. With warmer weather earlier in the year and for longer in the fall/winter it's a growing challenge

 

[HumanistHiker]

They got me in Portugal & Spain between late September & mid October this year on the Camino Portugues

 

[Kathar1na]

Reading a few comments on @MARSKA's live thread, I'm curious about this

Yes, the blood-sucking biting flying insects known as mosquitos are seasonal in Europe and that includes Spain.

You can probably find one or two of these insects at any location and any time but they become a major nuisance when the conditions are right for them: environment (rain and stagnant surface water), temperature (afaik 20-25 ºC) and similar factors that benefit their life-style.

As far as anecdotal evidence goes: I walked along the Camino Francés at various times in spring and autumn in past years and did not get bitten once despite being a mosquito magnet elsewhere nor did I hear the typical sound they make when they approach you.

I don't have the Spanish vocabulary to search for relevant information about mosquitos on the Camino Francés in 2023. I read, however, that "currently" (i.e. September and October 2023), there is a real mosquito plague on Mallorca and that there are actually more mosquitoes around at the moment than there have been all summer. This is because the milder temperatures compared to summer and the rain make it easier for mosquitoes to breed. On the Balearic Islands, spring and late summer/autumn are high season for mosquitos because the temperature is mild and it rains.

I don't know to what extent this applies to the 800 km long Camino Francés with its varied climates and regions. One factor would also be how established the mosquito populations are in a particular region of the CF. Given the frequent rainbands that crossed Spain and much of western Europe in recent weeks and the mild temperatures - October 2023 was the warmest October ever in numerous regions in Europe -, I would not be surprised if this September and October was a good season for any well established mosquito population on the Camino Francés.

 

[RJM]

On all my Camino's (June thru November) I think I encountered mosquitos less than five times and I'm talking single mosquitoes. I don't see them as being an issue and I've never carried insect repellent with me or one of those nets you wear on your head. Mosquitoes or biting flies are one of those issues that don't play a role in my Camino planning. I'm far more concerned with pack weight, physical fitness and footwear choice. Three things that will positively put a Camino walk to an early end.
and I still don't get the practice of closing all the albergue windows at night in warm weather..... I mean why? What are they afraid of? Witches and vampires?

 

[good_old_shoes]

I got bitten by mosquitos many times in France, sometimes it was impossible to sit outside of the tent in the evening. But very very rarely encountered them in Spain and I'm usually a magnet for them. I guess in many places it is simply too dry. They do of course exist but I rarely noticed them at all. Close to ponds, canals ect. there will probably be more of them.

I also love to sleep with lots of fresh air and preferredly away from potential bed bugs, so I often slept outside, sometimes without the tent (so no protection against insects). Never really had a problem with mosquitos.

 

[M2ME]

The Albergue at A Laxe on the Sanabres is notorious for its mosquitos. The comments on Gronze are a testament to many sleepless nights. The night I stayed there I was fortunate that another pilgrim kindly shared some repellent. I used the paper sheet as a mosquito net over me and managed to sleep fitfully. Protected from the mosquitos as I was the only real issue was the constant slapping of my bunk mates through out the night. It was as if a troupe of flamenco dancers was sharing the room with me.

 

[Jon53]

Reading a few comments on @MARSKA's live thread, I'm curious about this.
Being an "open-the-window" freak, and having been successful on many occasions, I can't recall having had any problem with mosquitos. But I always go in late-May to June. Maybe only a problem after sustained wet weather?
My eventual conversion to the (mostly) private-room option has been very much influenced by my aversion to closed rooms.

I don’t have recent experience of the Frances but walked the del Norte this September/ early October and definitely encountered mosquitos. Not that many but a few got me. It was hot and I slept with windows open so no surprise. I think climate change is probably stretching their season into October.

 

[McSherry]

I am tempted to say one can enjoy mosquitoes at any time of the year, so long as you cook them properly, ...

Have you any recipes to share? It is so hard to find good ones. I remember, years ago, Radio Austrialia providing a recipe for quiche termaine but mosquitos and termites are not interchangeable.

Of course, I mean this all in a wing-in-cheek sort of way.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Reading a few comments on @MARSKA's live thread, I'm curious about this.
Being an "open-the-window" freak, and having been successful on many occasions, I can't recall having had any problem with mosquitos. But I always go in late-May to June. Maybe only a problem after sustained wet weather?
My eventual conversion to the (mostly) private-room option has been very much influenced by my aversion to closed rooms.

Over the years I have been bitten by what I'll only assume have been spiders. I've not seen mosquitos while walking.

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

Reading a few comments on @MARSKA's live thread, I'm curious about this.
Being an "open-the-window" freak, and having been successful on many occasions, I can't recall having had any problem with mosquitos. But I always go in late-May to June. Maybe only a problem after sustained wet weather?
My eventual conversion to the (mostly) private-room option has been very much influenced by my aversion to closed rooms.

Generally speaking, mosquitos are not fussy about whom they bite. They don't worry whether or not we are in season....they just find us really yummy....,

 

[David Tallan]

I think mosquitoes are seasonal in most places that have seasons and you are unlikely to encounter them in winter. They haven't been a problem for me on the Frances during what would normally be the mosquito season (summer), but we did encounter plenty on the Camino de Madrid when we were walking by the Canal de Castilla.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've walked eight or nine Caminos and have never yet encountered a mosquito. I usually walk in April/May, but have recently additionally walked two in the fall; still none. This past October I only encountered a few random flies on the Madrid Way; a first.

 

[Cicada]

Reading a few comments on @MARSKA's live thread, I'm curious about this.
Being an "open-the-window" freak, and having been successful on many occasions, I can't recall having had any problem with mosquitos. But I always go in late-May to June. Maybe only a problem after sustained wet weather?
My eventual conversion to the (mostly) private-room option has been very much influenced by my aversion to closed rooms.

Made the mistake of leaving a hotel window open in Porto at the beginning of September and got eaten!

 

[Tincatinker]

I’ve never, noticeably, been bitten by a mosquito anywhere on the northern caminos. The wetlands of the Donana and the rice fields of Valencia- different country.

I maintain my repulsiveness by seeking an Orujo / blood ratio of +1%

 

[JerryStroebele]

Lots of the little ones on the Chemin Arles this October between Pau, France and the Col de Somport. Otherwise a great Camino. Buen Camino

 

[OZAJ]

I usually walk in Europe no earlier than April and no later than September. I have walked North (Frances, Norte, Primitivo, Olvidado), South (Mozarabe, VdlP,Sanabres) East (Levante)and West Portugues).

I have had no problem with mozzies, which is weird since I am ice-cream to biting insects. I have had problems with bedbugs.

 

[asl]

We encountered lots of 'skeeters on the Frances this fall in late Sept. / early Oct. Had to stop and buy bug spray.

 

[David61]

Aside: how do you edit a typo in a thread title?

plural mosquitoes also mosquitos
Britannica Dictionary definition of MOSQUITO

: a small flying insect that bites the skin of people and animals and sucks their blood

 

[Peregrinopaul]

plural mosquitoes also mosquitos
Britannica Dictionary definition of MOSQUITO

: a small flying insect that bites the skin of people and animals and sucks their blood

Ah yes, @David61. Interestingly that wasn’t the typo I was referring to…a mod immediately fixed the (other) one. Spelling rules are a nightmare. Pianos and radios, tomatoes and potatoes.

 

[MARSKA]

No mosquitos during my walk on the CF Sept - Nov. Lots of flies though from PLR to Leon.

 

[MARSKA]

We encountered lots of 'skeeters on the Frances this fall in late Sept. / early Oct. Had to stop and buy bug spray.

Wow. So odd - walked the CF late Sept / early Nov; SJPdP to SdC. No skeeters but lots of biting flies.