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Don't be afraid, bed bugs are domestic animals on any Camino. I have met with them on Camino Frances 2017 and on Camino Portuguese 2018. I suggest to you to sleep on up bed of the bed bunk if you want to avoid themI read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
I read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
I read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
Please do not be scared by some of the exaggerated postings that appear in this forum from time to time. When I first looked at this forum a year or so ago I thought I was glad I never read it before I walked my first Camino as I would have been quite overly concerned about matters like bedbugs, just to name one. It's best referenced to for tips on travel to and from the Caminos and equipment selection. Some nice photos of the Caminos on here, too.I read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
Please do not be scared by some of the exaggerated postings that appear in this forum from time to time. When I first looked at this forum a year or so ago I thought I was glad I never read it before I walked my first Camino as I would have been quite overly concerned about matters like bedbugs, just to name one. It's best referenced to for tips on travel to and from the Caminos and equipment selection. Some nice photos of the Caminos on here, too.
I can only relate my experiences (and my cousin's and one good friend's) on the Caminos Frances and Portugues.
No bedbugs in any of the albergues we stayed in. Different paths, different years, different albergues.
Walk the Camino without fear of anything. Why would you?
I read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
Because of hearing so much about bed bugs in the albergues, in 2013 I chose to buy a sheet that I am comfortable using when I stay in albergues; it's called the InsectShield Silk Liner. There have been ample studies about the safe use of permethrin on clothing. On the https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing site there is plenty information on the use of permethrin.
Ultreïa!
Veverita, don't let BBs put you off. While they're awful, the rest of the camino will be the most amazing experience
That sounds like being bitten by a bedbug is a guarantee. A 100% chance? As though being bitten by a bedbug is a side effect. Part of the price to be paid for walking the Camino.
Of course, we all know that is not true. Being bitten by a bedbug, encountering them in an albergue is a possibility, not even a probability.
I read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
Bed bugs happen but not often. Once they've been located, the albergue is closed, cleaned and inspected before reopening. May will be my 7th Camino and I have yet to have a problem. Most importantly, when you arrive at your albergue, inspect your bunk especially around the mattress seems. Once someone has an issue with bed bugs, the word gets out quicker then the speed of sound.I read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
I have walked on the Camino at many different times of the year ,and in the warm months have experienced bedbugs twice . Both times i bieve i got bedbugs in municipal albergues . My first experience ,i was agast.itch & creeping . I could put everything in the clothes dryer ,that kills them. I put everything in a black garbage bag and left it in the sun for an hour.i wore a nylon t shirt and commando shorts and ate a sandwich. Well i learned that if your spray everythin before you go with permethrin. Don't rince and when dry do it again.its natural ,smells ok and wull last 5_6 washings. Since then ,no problems. You can check around the bed frame before you unpack. If you see even one , move on. DarrellI read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
I have walked on the Camino at many different times of the year ,and in the warm months have experienced bedbugs twice . Both times i bieve i got bedbugs in municipal albergues . My first experience ,i was agast.itch & creeping . I could put everything in the clothes dryer ,that kills them. I put everything in a black garbage bag and left it in the sun for an hour.i wore a nylon t shirt and commando shorts and ate a sandwich. Well i learned that if your spray everythin before you go with permethrin. Don't rince and when dry do it again.its natural ,smells ok and wull last 5_6 washings. Since then ,no problems. You can check around the bed frame before you unpack. If you see even one , move on. Darrell
Washing is not important. It's a half hour in a hotIt’s just a pain to take the time to wash all your things and throw them into a dryer.
I do not recommend folks use DEET, although it will repel bedbugs. I use DEET while backpacking with heavy mosquito swarms, but not under other circumstances. DEET is of limited durability, it can hurt eyes and mucous membranes with accidental contact, and can damage some synthetic materials. If it is to be used, it is best applied to clothing, and needs to be replenished every 6 to 12 hours.
Key thing is treating your sleeping items (bag, blanket and sheets) we stored ours in bottom of pack that was also treated. I’m glad you have more co fixence now. There are so many people along the way that will help you if something happens no matter what it is. How lovely the goodness of others supports pilgrims so well. Spend some time on YouTube learning about blisters and treatments too. Fear the hotspots and act immediately. We bought an ikea bag to pack our backpack in for our flight to and from the Camino. We treated that with permethrin spray too and everything went in stages from outside the house straight to the washer and dryer. Backpacks were placed in black plastic bags and kept in hot sun for a week. When on the Camino it doesn’t hurt to run your sleeping gear through the hot dryer once a week even if you don’t wash it. Heat kills the bugs.Thanks for the informations, honestly I almost gave up the plans for Camino because there is nothing that could scare me except for an infestations with bed bugs. I will follow the advises and try to stay positive.
Davebugg has pretty much nailed it, but I would like to comment about DEET a little more.
In the military we splashed on DEET like it was water, totally unaware of its risks (we were only 20 or so and, being immortal, did not care anyway.) I did notice that it 'dissolved' the plastic face of my watch and made plastic pens sticky if I had DEET on my hands. God knows what the DEET concentration was in the product we were using.
DEET is considered to be safe 'if you follow the instructions', but, as for many 'safe' products, the instructions are often bent in actual practice, thereby increasing the risk. I always cringe a bit when I see DEET over-applied, just to be sure.
There is a heap of information online (of unverified quality) about the use of DEET by women. It's worth reading to at least learn about the issues, but make up your own mind.
I am not anti-DEET in all circumstances, but one must weigh up risks and benefits. If DEET stops you getting malaria or dengue fever, the risks are definitely worth taking, but if there are no real risks apart from the temporary discomfort of insect bites in non-tropical environments, I personally would not use it.
Bob M
DEET Survivor
Don't be afraid, bed bugs are domestic animals on any Camino. I have met with them on Camino Frances 2017 and on Camino Portuguese 2018. I suggest to you to sleep on up bed of the bed bunk if you want to avoid them.
The only bed bugs that I've actually seen in an albergue were on the bunk above mine, and also crawling on the wall above it.I suggest to you to sleep on up bed of the bed bunk if you want to avoid them.
Would advise the “not seriously bitten” thread.I read some comments about bed bugs on Camino Frances which scared me.
I am planning to do it in May this year and I would like to know if bed bugs are a serious problem in albergues and hostels.
Appreciate any advise/informations.
Veverita
What about october, november? Should I do something to prevent their presence during fall? Thanks!
What about october, november? Should I do something to prevent their presence during fall? Thanks!
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