bedbugs

Linda Theresa · Jun 15, 2017

Are bedbugs a huge concern in the hostels on the camino?

Anniesantiago · Jun 15, 2017

Welcome to the forum

Depends on who you are and what your experience has been.
To some, they're no concern at all.
To those who have been bitten or have seen people horribly bitten, it's a huge concern.

My advice is to learn to spot bedbug sign and if you see it, simply ask for your money back.
I spray the outside of my pack and the outside of my sleeping bag with permethrin.
There are tons of threads on this, if you do a search.

Here is a blog I wrote that will help you identify bedbugs and their sign:
http://caminosantiago2.blogspot.com/2011/06/dont-let-bedbugs-bite.html

C clearly · Jun 15, 2017

There are bed bugs in albergues and hostels along the camino. It is a continual maanagement issue. Many people do not react to the bites. It would be wise to learn about them, especially how to ensure that you don't bring any home. Try this recent thread for some starter information and links to more.

SYates · Jun 15, 2017

Welcome to the forum @Linda Theresa
Bed bugs are a reality on the Caminos and pretty much everywhere where people traveler. You can catch bed bugs in a 5*****Hotel as easy as in a simple albergue. Have a look at the resources mentioned above, prepare yourself, but don't drive yourself crazy.

Buen Camino, SY

notion900 · Jun 16, 2017

That's like saying 'are mosquitoes a huge concern in Scotland?'
They certainly exist. They can cause itchy bites. They don't spread dengue fever or zika virus.
Depends on your perspective whether you are personally worried by them or not.

Jersey · Jun 16, 2017

SYates said:
Welcome to the forum @Linda Theresa
Bed bugs are a reality on the Caminos and pretty much everywhere where people traveler. You can catch bed bugs in a 5*****Hotel as easy as in a simple albergue. Have a look at the resources mentioned above, prepare yourself, but don't drive yourself crazy.

Buen Camino, SY

A friend of mine was almost eaten alive in Harrahs hotel in Atlantic City last summer. Not a 5* hotel but definitely a 4* hotel.

Lance Chambers · Jun 16, 2017

My daughter was covered in bug bites after a night in an expensive hotel in Burgos - I was fine - different beds I guess and the luck of the Irish working there. In a hostel further down the track she got bitten again and I was fine - she was sleeping in the bunk above me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you have to just hope you're not going to get bitten because we both had sheets and pillow cases (2 each because Spanish pillows are as long as the single beds are wide and we needed 2 to cover the whole pillow) treated with Permethrin which should have killed ever bug on the beds as we put them on the bed as soon as we were allocated a bed.

Buen Camino

C clearly · Jun 16, 2017

Lance Chambers said:
My daughter was covered in bug bites after a night in an expensive hotel in Burgos - I was fine - different beds I guess and the luck of the Irish working there. In a hostel further down the track she got bitten again and I was fine - she was sleeping in the bunk above me.

The explanation is likely the fact that many people (perhaps even most) do not react at all to bed bug bites. Your daughter does; you don't.

Deleted member 36903 · Jun 16, 2017

notion900 said:
That's like saying 'are mosquitoes a huge concern in Scotland?'

Please note MOSQUITOES are not a problem in Scotland but MIDGES are and while you can see mosquitoes, midges are tiny so get into your hair and bite your scalp without mercy before you are even aware of the attack.

Sunbun · Jun 16, 2017

There was just a post on Facebook Camigas page about not ever putting your backpack on the bed; apparently, you can transmit the critters from one albergue to another that way.

C clearly · Jun 16, 2017

Sunbun said:
There was just a post on Facebook Camigas page about not ever putting your backpack on the bed; apparently, you can transmit the critters from one albergue to another that way.

There really is very little logic in this. Bedbugs don't just live in the mattresses. In fact, on the camino, I think the mattresses are very clean and protected. Any badly infested mattress would be identified and disposed of very quickly. The bugs hide elsewhere (cracks in the walls or floor) or they have just arrived on your neighbour's backpack. They come to you in bed at night, feed, and return to their hiding spots. Leaving your backpack unprotected on the floor at night is not a good idea either. Place it in a large airtight bag (roll top dry bag; or large garbage bag if you promise not to start fiddling with it before 7 a.m.)

You should NOT put your pack on the bed for general hygienic reasons. It has been placed on many dirty surfaces, just like your shoes, and you would not put your shoes on the bed.

Sunbun · Jun 16, 2017

Leaving your backpack unprotected on the floor at night is not a good idea either. Place it in a large airtight bag (roll top dry bag; or large garbage bag if you promise not to start fiddling with it before 7 a.m.)

Good point. I like the reminder not to start rummaging with a noisy plastic bag before 7!

Lance Chambers · Jun 17, 2017

C clearly said:
The explanation is likely the fact that many people (perhaps even most) do not react at all to bed bug bites. Your daughter does; you don't.

I didn't realise that was even possible - some affected but others not. I feel every lucky if that's the explanation. Thank you.

Kiwi-d · Jun 17, 2017

I slept in a 5-star hotel room in Prague that we found in the morning was infested with bedbugs, and didn't get bitten (others did). I walked part of the Camino and later shared a room in Santiago de Compostela with a friend who was bitten alive, and I didn't get one bite. I can only conclude bedbugs love warm-blooded people, and don't like those of us with poor circulation.

C clearly · Jun 18, 2017

The reaction to bedbugs is apparently an allergic type of reaction. You are allergic or not. Other insects provoke different physiological responses, which I don't understand.

SabsP · Jun 18, 2017

I'm always more worried about ticks than about bedbugs. Yes bedbugs can give you allergic reactions but non treated tick bites causes Lyme disease. But hey I'm a hypochondriac

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KariannNor · Apr 27, 2024

Well, as the title asks..

bedbugs

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