Bed Bugs

[G T]

Hi my names G T
Have been reading about bed bug,s on the camino
Brought sleeping bag that is treated against bed bugs and also sheet that is treated
is this a good enough measure or is there something else i can do please help anybody ?

 

[colinPeter]

Hi G T,
I never saw a bed bug when I walked in 2009. However, they obviously do exist on the Camino (and in hotels around the world, for that matter). I think treated sleeping gear and a little vigilance is the way to go. Another suggestion which I picked up from Falcon, was to use a "tyvek"sheet as a mattress cover, do a search of the forum on "tyvek" and you should find Falcons posts.
Buen Camino
Col

 

[Anniesantiago]

I don't think tyvek would protect one from bedbugs.. they can crawl on it as easy as on a sheet... unless you treat the tyvek?

 

[colinPeter]

I don't think tyvek would protect one from bedbugs.. they can crawl on it as easy as on a sheet... unless you treat the tyvek?

Yes, that's correct. Thought that would be picked up in the other posts. But I should have mentioned it. Thanks for picking it up.
Col

 

[G T]

Thank,s Colin for the reply.
Will stay vigilant. Are the bedbugs big enough to see then ? Also any other little tip,s you could recommend on anything. thank,s again GT.

 

[northyukon]

I did buy a mattress cover from a travel shop that is supposed to stop BB. It is 100% polyester, so perhaps has to be sprayed first. I have a silk cover for my light weight fleece liner, does silk keep out the bed bugs. Does anything keep out bed bugs.
Also I heard that lavender oil is good if you do get bites.

Only a month away, can't wait to get started.

 

[DurhamParish]

I just treated my sleeping bag, backpack, and pillowcase with Permethrin. Bought it at Walmart, which is much cheaper than the same product at REI. It is supposed to work very good at keeping all bugs away, including bed bugs. I certainly hope so. I begin the Camino Portugese next Thursday.

 

[pablo.m]

sept last year they were the hot topic from leon on. nasty. some really bad cases, some not at all. everyone reacts to them differently. by galacia they were epidemic & the hostelleros didnt care.

before bed:
1) pull bed away from walls & curtains, no point of contact
2) spray anti bed bug nasty chemical on sheet/pillowcase/edges of mattress
3) apply roll on insect repellent
4) try not to be paranoid & think of nice things

 

[David]

17th and 18th aristocrats when travelling would take a young pig with them. Their servants would put the pig in the bed for an hour or so before the aristo went to bed, when the pig was then removed - the bedbugs would be full and content and the aristo would have a pleasant sleep - so, top tip - take a baby pig with you (they don't weigh much) :wink:

 

[ffp13]

17th and 18th aristocrats when travelling would take a young pig with them. Their servants would put the pig in the bed for an hour or so before the aristo went to bed, when the pig was then removed - the bedbugs would be full and content and the aristo would have a pleasant sleep - so, top tip - take a baby pig with you (they don't weigh much) :wink:

But the snore-ting will keep other pilgrims awake