Bedbug Free Nights on the Camino

[SacredSteps]

For those of you preparing your packing lists for the Camino, I come to sing the praises of the Sea to Summit Traveller Adapter Bed Liner with Insect Shield from my previous experience on the Camino and from backpack trekking in hostels worldwide.

The STS Traveller Adapter is a great liner for warm/hot environments like a summer Camino. The Coolmax material is a wicking poly that feels like a soft cotton shirt and could (easily) be mistaken for cotton or bamboo. The genius in this liner is that it is pre-treated at the thread/yarn stage of production with permethrin to repel bed bugs, midges, ticks, fleas, and other bitey crawlies. Since it is treated at the yarn level, there is 182% less exposure than if you were to treat the liner yourself, plus it retains its protection for up to 70 washes.

The entire thing packs down to the size of a soda can, weighs 11 oz. yet opens to give you an 89"x36" rectangular bag, with a little pocket to keep your pillow away from crawlies too! In all the really dicey places I've spent an overnight, I've NEVER ONCE been bitten by a bedbug.

Here's a google link for the Sea to Summit Traveller Adapter Bed Liner with Insect Shield (you can choose where you might view/buy it online).
Here's a google link to learn more about permethrin treatments
Here's a link to my in-depth review (including photos) and my Camino packing list on the my blog

And... here's to no bed bug bites!

 

[SeñorJacques]

After much waffling (for I have yet to make a purchase for my upcoming Camino without a considerable amount of waffling) I decided to buy this very liner a few weeks ago with an REI credit I had ... and this review is making me very glad that I did Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[nathanael]

After much waffling (for I have yet to make a purchase for my upcoming Camino without a considerable amount of waffling) I decided to buy this very liner a few weeks ago with an REI credit I had ... and this review is making me very glad that I did Thanks for sharing your experience!

I will look into this at my local sports store that does sell it. The price seems high since it claims 70 washings what then?

 

[SeñorJacques]

The price seems high since it claims 70 washings what then?

I suppose after 70 washings - which is a considerable number of washings if you think about it - it could then be treated with a topical permethrin treatment to retain/regain its insect repellency.

 

[notion900]

what then?

Bedbug armageddon.

 

[Kanga]

It's useful to remember that permethrin does not kill instantly. I've been bitten while using a permethrin treated liner.

I now regard my liner as a mechanical barrier, and draw it up over my head and seal it with an elastic draw cord. So I breath through the silk. It's fine, although I have though about sewing in a patch of fine mesh insect netting.

 

[trecile]

It's useful to remember that permethrin does not kill instantly. I've been bitten while using a permethrin treated liner.

Nor does it repel bedbugs (though I believe that it repels mosquitoes, and possibly other bugs). It will kill bedbugs with prolonged exposure, so if they do get into a permethrin treated bag, if they don't make their escape within an hour or two they should die.

 

[trecile]

Nor does it repel bedbugs (though I believe that it repels mosquitoes, and possibly other bugs). It will kill bedbugs with prolonged exposure, so if they do get into a permethrin treated bag, if they don't make their escape within an hour or two they should die.

From the Sea to Summit website

Insect Shield® is a semi-permanent permethrin treatment which is applied to the finished product to help repel flies, chiggers, midges, ants, mosquitos, ticks and fleas.

No mention of bedbugs.

Adaptor Coolmax Sleeping Bag Liner with Insect Shield | Sea to Summit

FREE SHIPPING & LIFETIME GUARANTEE. The Adaptor Coolmax Liner with Insect Shield is perfect for your buggiest adventures. The sleeping bag liner itself is built with Coolmax hollow fibers that transport moisture away your body keeping you comfortable in warm and humid climates. The Insect Shield...

seatosummitusa.com

 

[Jennifer Partika]

I just bought this liner yesterday! I hiked the CF in September/October two years ago with a bed bug sheet that I laid under my treated sleeping bag and STILL got bites and spend countless hours washing and drying my clothes and pack. Not my favorite memory of the Camino but looking back definitely not enough to dampen the magic.
I will be hiking the Portuguese in late June and plan to use this liner alone rather than carrying a sleeping bag in what I expect to be hot weather.

 

[jalluisi]

We bought silk liners for our October 3rd camino. Tks for the info!!

 

[Ernesto.IT]

For those of you preparing your packing lists for the Camino, I come to sing the praises of the Sea to Summit Traveller Adapter Bed Liner with Insect Shield from my previous experience on the Camino and from backpack trekking in hostels worldwide.

The STS Traveller Adapter is a great liner for warm/hot environments like a summer Camino. The Coolmax material is a wicking poly that feels like a soft cotton shirt and could (easily) be mistaken for cotton or bamboo. The genius in this liner is that it is pre-treated at the thread/yarn stage of production with permethrin to repel bed bugs, midges, ticks, fleas, and other bitey crawlies. Since it is treated at the yarn level, there is 182% less exposure than if you were to treat the liner yourself, plus it retains its protection for up to 70 washes.

The entire thing packs down to the size of a soda can, weighs 11 oz. yet opens to give you an 89"x36" rectangular bag, with a little pocket to keep your pillow away from crawlies too! In all the really dicey places I've spent an overnight, I've NEVER ONCE been bitten by a bedbug.

Here's a google link for the Sea to Summit Traveller Adapter Bed Liner with Insect Shield (you can choose where you might view/buy it online).
Here's a google link to learn more about permethrin treatments
Here's a link to my in-depth review (including photos) and my Camino packing list on the my blog

And... here's to no bed bug bites!

Keep yours finger cross Islander, there is always a first time.

 

[C clearly]

Keep yours finger cross Islander, there is always a first time.

Not always! Many people do not react to bedbug bites, so they will "never be bitten" (as far as they know).

 

[trecile]

Not always! Many people do not react to bedbug bites, so they will "never be bitten" (as far as they know).

If I had not been able to see the bites on my leg, I never would have known.

 

[SacredSteps]

After much waffling (for I have yet to make a purchase for my upcoming Camino without a considerable amount of waffling) I decided to buy this very liner a few weeks ago with an REI credit I had ... and this review is making me very glad that I did Thanks for sharing your experience!

I hope it works as well for you as it has for me. It is definitely a warm-weather liner - won't be great in the colder months because it is so lightweight.

I will look into this at my local sports store that does sell it. The price seems high since it claims 70 washings what then?

The liner can be re-treated with permethrin. A company (Insect Shield) offers per item pricing for treatment. I have sent them my shirts and pants before for Florida Trail. Very good to work with.

Keep yours finger cross Islander, there is always a first time.

HA! Yeah... not sure I want to endure that one!

Nor does it repel bedbugs (though I believe that it repels mosquitoes, and possibly other bugs). It will kill bedbugs with prolonged exposure, so if they do get into a permethrin treated bag, if they don't make their escape within an hour or two they should die.

While it's possible that I suffer from confirmation bias (I have not been bitten, therefore it must be effective) an NIH study of similar permethrin-treated fabric showed "significant feeding disruption compared to those on blank fabric". I really like the sound of that!

 

[RRat]

Not always! Many people do not react to bedbug bites, so they will "never be bitten" (as far as they know).

We get bitten but don't feel it and it doesn't itch.

 

[Kym Camino]

I have walked the Camino Frances twice. Both times I started in april and I have never found any bed bugs on the bunks - believe me, I look very closely before putting my sleeping bag on a bunk. May be, I have just been very lucky!

 

[trecile]

I have walked the Camino Frances twice. Both times I started in april and I have never found any bed bugs on the bunks - believe me, I look very closely before putting my sleeping bag on a bunk. May be, I have just been very lucky!

Starting in April may be the most important factor. I believe that later on in the Camino "season" as more pilgrims go through the albergues the incidence of bed bugs rises.

 

[Xali1970]

Well... should you be unlucky and be a host to these critters, they are relatively easy to eradicate.
1/ go to a pharmacy and ask for bedbugs spray. This is to treat your backpack and and your dry bags.
2/ make sure everything else is dry.
3/ put everything in a dryer, shoes included. 15-20 min spin on high temperature will eradicate the critters. Note that everything is to do in the dryer already dry. It's a heat treatment. It also will prevent your more fragile fabrics from being destroyed

 

[trecile]

/ put everything in a dryer, shoes included. 15-20 min spin on high temperature will eradicate the critters. Note that everything is to do in the dryer already dry. It's a heat treatment. It also will prevent your more fragile fabrics from being destroyed

Correct. There is no need to wash things in hot water. It's the heat from the dryer that kills the bugs and their eggs.

 

[C clearly]

I don't bother putting my shoes into the dryer. However, you can inspect your shoes carefully. While not being a 100% guarantee, inspection should reduce the risk. Leaving your shoes away from the sleeping area, as required in many albergues, is probably a good idea as well.