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Hi all, I'm a newbie and plan on trekking SJPP-Muxia-Finisterre starting on 9 September, easing in with an overnight at Orrison. Thanks to all you peregrinos and peregrinas for the valuable wisdom and experience you have shared with me.
My question (and concern) is about avoiding nighttime visits from bedbugs. I've been pretty well convinced that I won't need a sleeping bag for a Sept-mid-Oct trek--that I can depend (generally) upon albergue blankets to keep me warm. But I am wondering if bedbugs inhabit some of those blankets, negating my plan to sleep on a permethrin sheet for protection.
Any experience or thoughts on the issue? Would I be better off carrying a light sleeping bag, so as to avoid the need for blankets and their potential visitors?
Ray
The Albergues IN GALICIA provide those disposable mattress covers. That is not the case for the majority of the rest of the Camino Francés.My wife and I did the last 112Km from Sarria to Santiago in the first part of May 2015 and we found our silk sleeping sacks and the blankets provided by the abergues to be more than adequate. All of the abergues we stayed in also provided paper mattress and pillow covers. We had treated our silk sleeping sacs with permethrin. All-in-all we had no bed guest.
Buen Camino
That's exactly what (and why) I am still undecided. Organizing my things for simple cleanup with heat treatment is now my main strategy.Probably a lot of you have seen the youtube video of bedbugs on permethrin treated material. If it takes close to an hour to kill the critters, don't they have plenty of time to bite you? I bought a mattress cover that was recommended on this forum but now am rethinking taking it
That is the choice, but I think it does help against bed bugs. Permethrin has been around for a long while. It is used extensively on livestock.So far what I've read is that permethrin is not harmful to humans. But if it doesn't really help with bedbugs why take the risk that a few years from now, as is often the case, you find out they are toxic.
Yep, just have to take all the opinions in and make a decision. Maybe I'm just ready to be done with all my obsessing about every aspect of my camino preparation. I may be posting in November how I regretted not taking a treated sheet. So be it.That is the choice, but I think it does help against bed bugs. Permethrin has been around for a long while. It is used extensively on livestock.
Yes I can spray my bag and will probably do so. I am just trying to find any credible reports than give real evidence that a sprayed sheet/netting will actually deter bedbugs in the short term. The only reported experiment I can find concludes that it doesn't.
I'm simply trying to distinguish between "proven fact" and "educated guess." (And I am aware of the uncertainties of "facts.")
It's OK. I am not obsessed or afraid. I have faced the enemy and survived. I have only been insistent with my questions/comments because I think there is a lot of mix-up of fact, educated guess and pure speculation about the bedbugs and how they might be avoided.I'm afraid if you become TOO obsessed with bedbugs...
It's OK. I am not obsessed or afraid. I have faced the enemy and survived. I have only been insistent with my questions/comments because I think there is a lot of mix-up of fact, educated guess and pure speculation about the bedbugs and how they might be avoided.
Wow. what a great idea.The Albergues IN GALICIA provide those disposable mattress covers. That is not the case for the majority of the rest of the Camino Francés.
Blankets could be rather dirty come September!
As you walk further West and the days become shorter, you could experience many fresh nights ( and frost on the ground in the morning)!
This year, we tried an experiment, by using lightweight fleece blankets, which I added some Velcro tape along the bottom and up part of the side, to make into a sleeping bag if necessary. They saved more than 500 grams weight, compared to our sleeping bags and took up less space in our backpacks too! And were perfectly adequate.
Walked april, May and into early June....used albergue blankets and my own silk liner ...no permethrin...and didn't get bitten at all..had top bunk mostly but also bottom bunks...I eat marmite....you love it or you hate it....maybe true for bed bugs too...
It seems to work on the Scottish midges too.....my friend was bitten to death ...almost......me once....and then I think they spat it out.....This made me laugh!
Marmite? I believe it! ::laughing::
Congratulations on no bug bites!
Makes you wonder what the secret ingredients might be....!!!!!It seems to work on the Scottish midges too.....my friend was bitten to death ...almost......me once....and then I think they spat it out.....
Makes you wonder what the secret ingredients might be....!!!!!
Have been eating excessive quantities all my life.....so am probably super strength by now......would be willing to travel to Cuba or Mexico to undertake further research......sponsorship gratefully received....I was advised to eat it in Cuba where the mosquitos carry Dengue Fever and was told told it contains Vitamin B12 that the mosquitos hate??? Maybe the same for bedbugs??? It didn't work in Cuba or Mexico perhaps I wasn't having enough?
Joking apart I think I have heard similar sort of thing in past....but kind of didn't believe it.Have been eating excessive quantities all my life.....so am probably super strength by now......would be willing to travel to Cuba or Mexico to undertake further research......sponsorship gratefully received....
So far what I've read is that permethrin is not harmful to humans. But if it doesn't really help with bedbugs why take the risk that a few years from now, as is often the case, you find out they are toxic.
Hello Ray!Hi all, I'm a newbie and plan on trekking SJPP-Muxia-Finisterre starting on 9 September, easing in with an overnight at Orrison. Thanks to all you peregrinos and peregrinas for the valuable wisdom and experience you have shared with me.
My question (and concern) is about avoiding nighttime visits from bedbugs. I've been pretty well convinced that I won't need a sleeping bag for a Sept-mid-Oct trek--that I can depend (generally) upon albergue blankets to keep me warm. But I am wondering if bedbugs inhabit some of those blankets, negating my plan to sleep on a permethrin sheet for protection.
Any experience or thoughts on the issue? Would I be better off carrying a light sleeping bag, so as to avoid the need for blankets and their potential visitors?
Ray
"Boring"? Nah, not boring. Quite enjoyable actually. So much so I did it twice.You sure had a boring Camino.
Ondo Ibili !
Hi Swede, Woukd you be willing to share some information about how your gear has changed, based on your experience?Hello Ray!
I have walked with a thin sleeping bag two times and one time without sleeping bag, just using silk sheets. At that time I arriwed at a Albergue and when it was my turn they had no more blankets to give me. The night temperature was very low that night and I had to dress up before I went to bed. Some blankets are in a terrible shape and not fresh. This time when I start in the end of August I will carry a thicker sleeping bag (about 900 gr). Remember that you walk at rather high altitude and the nights can be cold. When you reach Galicia it will rain a lot and there are no heating in the Albergues. Stonehouses with open windows mostly. But as you see every person has his own opinion. I have never experienced bedbugs.
I can also tell you that I have completly changed all gear and almost all clothing since the first Camino although I thought I was well prepared the first time. But you will be walking through rather big cities along the CF so you can buy what you need.
Good Luck!
Hi Cooperplus!Hi Swede, Woukd you be willing to share some information about how your gear has changed, based on your experience?
Hi all, I'm a newbie and plan on trekking SJPP-Muxia-Finisterre starting on 9 September, easing in with an overnight at Orrison. Thanks to all you peregrinos and peregrinas for the valuable wisdom and experience you have shared with me.
My question (and concern) is about avoiding nighttime visits from bedbugs. I've been pretty well convinced that I won't need a sleeping bag for a Sept-mid-Oct trek--that I can depend (generally) upon albergue blankets to keep me warm. But I am wondering if bedbugs inhabit some of those blankets, negating my plan to sleep on a permethrin sheet for protection.
Any experience or thoughts on the issue? Would I be better off carrying a light sleeping bag, so as to avoid the need for blankets and their potential visitors?
Ray
Hi Cooperplus!
I have changed my backpack from 35 l to Osprey Kestrel 58. I found out that the bigger backpacks have better harness´s and hipbelts and over all are more stabile.
Honestly, you can't overthink this.
Whether or not you encounter the bugs is a toss-up.
You did a very good choice when you bought Atmos 50L. Congratulations. You will enjoy it for many years to come. It´s much easier to have a larger backpack. There are more pockets so you can reach your gear from "outside" and the comfort is much better. I have my poncho in a pocket så I can grab it without unpacking or open anything.I'm happy to hear that - I bought an osprey Atmos 50L and was told it was too big, but it is unquestionably the most comfortable pack I tried. As for bed bugs - I think I would prefer the bites to the pesticides that might or might not prevent them.
Actually, DEET has been shown effective if you want to slather it on at bedtime.Nothing you can do to scare them away.
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