Mosquitoes

[cearc]

Hi All
This is my first time to (try to) post a message.
I am starting my first camino walk in Astorga on August 27th.
One question: Are mosquitoes a problem along the way? Is it necessary to take precautions?
Thanks,
Cearc

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Right now there are TONS of mosquitos about in the evening. If they really bother you, bring along a little bug spray.
That said, bug spray is one of the items most often left behind by pilgrims concerned about extra weight. Maybe you should just wait til you get here, start out, and see if there´s a problem. You can buy bug spray in Spain.

reb

 

[MichaelB10398]

Reb, do you know if the mosquitoes are bad in June? Just curious as I plan for next year.

Mike

 

[nellpilgrim]

Hi, Normally I get eaten alive by mossies or any other little biting/stinging creatures but I found taking vitamin B12 for 2 weeks before I left and during the walk seemed to work. The time of year was not peak mosquito time so maybe supplement by using light spray bought locally. Good luck. Nell

 

[Anonymous]

I do like good info!

another possibility is to bring a mossie hat net ... it is a mossie net that goes over your hat and there is a shoulder tie cord ... only keeps them off your face of course but works for those horrid midges as well - and if you are careful you can drink wine through it too ..

just put mosquito head nets or mosquito hat nets into google .. very light very cheap wear them just for the evenings when they all rise .. can also wear them in bed ... just a thought

 

[lynnejohn]

Deep Woods Off in towlette packs - light and portable.

lynne

 

[Tia Valeria]

Our daughter uses a spray on her clothes (Deet) before travelling to 'mozzie zones'. It lasts several washes. Then she only needs repellent on exposed skin.
I like the idea of a mozzie net hat, but at night won't it rest on your face so that you still get bitten?
Terry's sleeping bag liner was insect repellent. He used the pillow end inside out (put his head in it) as he posted elsewhere! (Albergue pillow sizes)
Tia Valeria

 

[Anonymous]

I wondered that about the hat netting resting on the skin but apparently you spray it with the stuff and allow it to dry and then they won't land on it (not tested by me but it will be in about 4 weeks) :wink:

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I find it´s not my face and head that are so attractive to the bugs, it´s my ankles.

Seriously, the mosquitoes I´ve encountered in Spain are nothing compared to other parts of the world. It´s the spiders and fleas and bedbugs that I find most pesky!

Even those aren´t anything beyond average in size, scope, and viciousness. Nothing to write home about, especially if home is somewhere swampy and southern. If you´re allergic, bring along some antihistamine. You really have nothing to worry about.

Reb.

 

[Anonymous]

As a refugion (?) I'm not surprised you focus there .. for me it is Hornets ... just too big and too fast and just too suspiciously intelligent eyes ... :shock:

(spiders 'over there' are fine for me, spiders 'in my bed with me' are definitely not!)

 

[Deleted member 3000]

From the Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon, USA two weeks ago from a hiker in full bug netting, head to boots, after just 20 hours of hiking:

"Mosquitoes are forever.
The leg fatigue goes away when you rest; the mosquitoes are 24/7
The thirst goes away when you drink; the mosquitoes are 24/7
The 90 degree heat ebbs at dust; the mosquitoes are 24/7
The bad liteweight food nourishes; the mosquitoes are 24/7
The 38 pound pack weight lightens daily as food is consumed; the mosquitoes are 24/7

Just before I decided to hike out, I met a southbound hiker who had spent the last 8 nights cooking in his tent to escape the bugs--and waiting until his body was in agony before dressing in full rain gear to leave and go to the bathroom. And he noted that the bugs were even worse a few days north in Sisters Wilderness. This was as I was looking at about one mosquito per square inch resting on my bug suit.

SO, in keeping with 'discomfort, yes; misery no,' I am back home."

 

[Tia Valeria]

"If you think 'small' is insignificant, try spending the night with a mosquito."

I don't know the origin of this quote, but it says it all!
Tia Valeria

 

[Anniesantiago]

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