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insect repellant needed??

M

Maria AT

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
August 2014
Heading out this next week -- August 2014 -- are mosquitos or other such insects a nuisance on El Camino this time of year? Coming from the Mid Atlantic region of the US where they are
 
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We walked through swarms of midges occasionally and flies so thick they sounded like we were walking through a beehive! Insect repellant did nothing! However, titree oil smeared on us prevented them from landing. They still hummed around us but did not dare to land. If you look hard you can see the blighters in the first pic. The second is pre-titree-application!
 
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This past July (2014) I was attacked by mosquitoes after Leon and had to buy a heavy duty repellent at a pharmacy in Spain. The pharmacist examined my bites because I had swollen skin, eyes, really, really bad. She told me I had a very strong allergic reaction to the mosquito species that got me called the "Mosquito Tiger", alive and well that season. It was not pretty. I still have marks, but it did not prevented me at all from walking. It just wiped out my appetite for 3-4 days. I kept the bites clean with alcohol, applied an anti-itching cream, wore the repellent, took anti-histaminics, and was fine. Sounds worse than what it was... Do not hesitate to go into a pharmacy along the Camino and ask for medical advice. I find the pharmacists in Spain, in general, are incredibly knowledgeable and well prepared.
 
It was my experience last year that the flies were always a big problem. As I remember flies were the Worst when you are walking down from Cruz de Ferro. The flies were swarming and they were even trying to get into my ears and nose.
I uses insect repellant, but it only work for a short time. Save the insect repellant for the forest.
 
I'll just post this sideline as it may help someone.
My wife and I used to fish in a very remote area of the Yucatan, where there are legends of biting insects.
We would mix a potion of deet, body lotion and sunscreen, and apply it after our morning shower. The repellent lasted all day, but the sunscreen was renewed as needed.
Buen Camino
 
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I bring a little bottle of essential oil of lemon, if the mossys are bad I put a few drops in my hand, mix with a few drops of water, and rub to my face and hands. It works for me, takes very little room and has no harmful chemicals.
 
T tree oil is the way to go! Far better that all these insecticides! Anne
 
annakappa said:
T tree oil is the way to go! Far better that all these insecticides! Anne
Click to expand...
Hi annakappa...How do you apply the teatree oil? is it alright direct onto the skin or diluted in a carrier oil or a few dabs on the wrist ??
Thanks for the info..xxx
 
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Maria AT said:
Heading out this next week -- August 2014 -- are mosquitos or other such insects a nuisance on El Camino this time of year? Coming from the Mid Atlantic region of the US where they are
Click to expand...

I didn't have any problem with insects. I walked in July. I come from Texas, where the mosquitos are big, ugly, carry west nile virus and carry small dogs off in the middle of the night.
 
got this in the mail today -
http://www.campsaver.com/search/?keywords=insect+shield
clothing as insect shields. - haven't used any of those, but could have .... on some stretches along the atlantic (porto - vila de conde) - had some close encounters with some very pesky buggers (small but veryyy numerous) -
 
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BevBeevers said:
Hi annakappa...How do you apply the teatree oil? is it alright direct onto the skin or diluted in a carrier oil or a few dabs on the wrist ??
Thanks for the info..xxx
Click to expand...
direct on skin.....we put it on our necks to keep them off faces
it's great on bites afterwards too if you are so unlucky
 
annakappa said:
T tree oil is the way to go! Far better that all these insecticides! Anne
Click to expand...
I wish I had known about T tree oil before I went on the Camino. Next time, I guess.
 
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