Bed bugs in winter

[brawblether]

Are they much of a concern during the winter months? The pre-treatment process for sleeping gear is a horror and I'd like to avoid doing it if possible. What are your thoughts?

 

[grayland]

I am not sure why you say the pre-treating is a "horror"???

I have no reservations at all.

 

[brawblether]

When I did it for my summer walk it involved washing with gloves and mask on, scrubbing your skin afterwards, drying the items in certain conditions, not disposing of it except in a certain way, but most of all it was just the most vile smell ever...

 

[alansykes]

I've never had any problems with bedbugs on winter caminos, but I may just have been lucky - the little horrors can stay dormant for 18 months waiting for the right blast of CO2 and a warm body. I think many albergues take advantage of the lighter winter traffic to fumigate, so that probably helps.

 

[Kialoa3]

Never had a bite Dec-Feb, and never heard of anyone else being served up as a bed bug buffet in those months.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Most of the time they're dormant during winter.
I had a nice priest tell me that the bedbugs hatch after a nice rain and a few days of sun in the late spring.
That has been my experience as well.
When I walk in early spring, I don't see bedbugs.
When I walk in autumn, they seem to be everywhere.

 

[brawblether]

Great, thanks guys. Annie, I saw your blog post and it was so enlightening. I walked in blissful ignorance/denial the summer before last, now I realise how lucky I was not to have been bitten.

 

[caminoforme86]

I got bitten in December, in Negreira. The room was so so hot. This was the only time I got bitten on the Camino Frances

 

[Anniesantiago]

I imagine if they keep the rooms hot, the beasties won't die off.
I was hot in Casanova too… heated floor.. it was like a sauna.

 

[susanawee]

I am not sure why you say the pre-treating is a "horror"???

I have no reservations at all.

I also have no qualms or reservations about pre-treating my gear with Bed Bug treatment prior to leaving for the Camino.....I have suffered horribly in the past from bed bug bites - so sore and painful and no laughing matter -. I bought a bottle of Permethrin solution from 'The Travel Doctor' here in Perth, on their recommendtion......the treatment itself is very easy to do. I travelled from Pamploma to Santiago last May/June and, whilst I did get bitten, the result was much less wide spread and painful than it would have been had I not pre-treated my clothes and my gear.....smiles.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I bought a bottle of Permethrin solution

Every tourist office in France sells it, so they don't think it is such bad stuff (or that the trade-off of eliminating bites is at least worth it).

 

[treesah]

I have never traveled the Camino in winter, only summer under the best of conditions for these critters. There really is NOTHING that can be preventative. I always slept on the top bunk while hubby took the bottom. I was the unfortunate one whom they induldged themselves with an unsparing feast! The thought of it happening was more horribly grotesque than the actual "experience", and yes, it was much itchier than mosquito bites. I took my own ointment/medicine from the U.S. which minimally gave relief. The Pharmacias in Spain however had the best ointment that relieved the itch. Enjoy your trip and as you live w/ the pain of walking, so you will endure any of the other discomforts the camino has. This was 2012. And now, here I go again in July 2014......same conditions, same route (Francis), but now, with less fear of getting bit by bed bugs. The life experiences you gain on the Camino are far MORE worth the fear of bed bugs. Have a joyous trip! Buen Camino!

 

[KarliMc]

What is this magic cream they sell for the bites? I would like to pick some up.

 

[chewingfoil]

I am not sure why you say the pre-treating is a "horror"???

I have no reservations at all.

A horror because some of us dislike, distrust, and fear the toxicity of chemical treatments.

 

[grayland]

A horror because some of us dislike, distrust, and fear the toxicity of chemical treatments.

This is, of course, a personal belief and opinion and is important to those who share it. They will have to hope that they are fortunate enough to not encounter the insect demons.

Others find that pre-treatment is effective and is a source of less anxiety.

Each can take the action that appeals to them.