Mosquitos on Frances in May… June?

[Shazenalan]

On my last Camino Frances in September 2018 & 19 I had no issues with being bitten except by the canal in Fromista where they ‘got me good!!’ This time Im starting in May, a wetter time of year - will there be more or less mosquitos then?

 

[howardd5]

On my last Camino Frances in September 2018 & 19 I had no issues with being bitten except by the canal in Fromista where they ‘got me good!!’ This time Im starting in May, a wetter time of year - will there be more or less mosquitos then?

I live in North Carolina and have a knowledge of the blood sucking pests. I have walked a dozen Caminos and never had a mosquito problem . The don’t have screens ! Only flys sometimes in food areas. Why I don’t know ?

 

[rappahannock_rev]

I've done the Frances, in whole or in part, five times, now -- and never been bitten by a mosquito. Not even when walking by the canal.

 

[henrythedog]

Never been bitten on the Frances, and I react badly to mozzie bites. I carry a tiny 50%DEET spray which would see me through to the next farmacia.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Was eaten alive by dive-bombing skeeters on the Portuguese, but never on the Frances.

 

[Shazenalan]

That is reassuring In Fromista we stayed in a Casa Rural - enjoyed the garden in the early evening then the lady of the house suddenly ran indoors. We were puzzled until we saw the mozzies - and we also ran in and closed our room windows. Perhaps it is only Fromista? I react to bites - they were at least 1.5” in diameter - hence wanting to check in with the ‘hive mind’ about May conditions.

 

[Felice]

I remember the canal at Fromista.....

It was early morning, still dark, when someone behind shouted 'ooh, look at the sunrise' I turned, and there was indeed, a spectacular sunrise. The sun was rising through the thin clouds, giving them a wonderful orange and red glow, and its reflection was playing on the still water of the canal. Breathtaking. My photo does not do it justice at all.

I heard the first blood sucker approach my ear at the same time as I became aware of one on my arm. I began to swot and flap at them. Behind me, others were frantically doing the same. The peaceful moment savouring the beauty of the morning was completely shattered and we all made a dash to complete the canal section as quickly as possible.

By the time the sun was properly up, the mosquitos had gone for the rest of the day, no doubt well fed, to get ready for the next batch of unwary pilgrims the following day.

 

[Shazenalan]

I remember the canal at Fromista.....

It was early morning, still dark, when someone behind shouted 'ooh, look at the sunrise' I turned, and there was indeed, a spectacular sunrise. The sun was rising through the thin clouds, giving them a wonderful orange and red glow, and its reflection was playing on the still water of the canal. Breathtaking. My photo does not do it justice at all.

I heard the first blood sucker approach my ear at the same time as I became aware of one on my arm. I began to swot and flap at them. Behind me, others were frantically doing the same. The peaceful moment savouring the beauty of the morning was completely shattered and we all made a dash to complete the canal section as quickly as possible.

By the time the sun was properly up, the mosquitos had gone for the rest of the day, no doubt well fed, to get ready for the next batch of unwary pilgrims the following day.

A tale well told there - thank you! I think we will be sure yo walk right on through Ftomista at midday this time.

 

[Jami Gray]

On my last Camino Frances in September 2018 & 19 I had no issues with being bitten except by the canal in Fromista where they ‘got me good!!’ This time Im starting in May, a wetter time of year - will there be more or less mosquitos then?

I walked during that time and didn't notice any mosquitos. But there were a couple of areas where the flies were viscious...walking right through small farms with stables/barns on either side of the path.

 

[sunwanderer]

Was eaten alive by dive-bombing skeeters on the Portuguese, but never on the Frances.

Any particular part of the Portuguese?

 

[Henriettagal]

On my last Camino Frances in September 2018 & 19 I had no issues with being bitten except by the canal in Fromista where they ‘got me good!!’ This time Im starting in May, a wetter time of year - will there be more or less mosquitos then?

I walked my Camino in May/June and I did not encounter any mosquitos.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Any particular part of the Portuguese?

No! ::: they're everywhere!

 

[good_old_shoes]

Didn't encounter any mosquitos on the Francés in april/may, june and july. Also no ticks at all. Very different from where I live! Awesome!

Now the bad part is that there are bed bugs instead. I'd take ticks, mosquitos, fleas, scabies and lice over bedbugs any day. All off them together instead of bedbugs would still be fine. But oh well, you can't have it all.

I'm the proud owner of an anti-bedbug tent now! Probably will get bitten anyway... but it's all worth it. Even the hospital visit!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've walked five various Caminos in Spain and Portugal in mid April through May and never had even one mosquito or bug of any kind: the Le Puy route in June and still no bugs!

 

[RJM]

I personally have never experienced a single mosquito whilst walking the Camino multiple times, June-November, and didn't encounter any on the Portuguese July and August.

 

[ranthr]

Only flies, on the mesetas after Burgos, big black flies made me happy to have brought a headnet.
That was in the beginning of Octobre.
On the Via de la Plata, in May, mosquitos during the night at the albergue de embalse de Encantara.
Somebody meant they had been bitten by bedbugs, but coming from the arctic of Norway, with a lot of mosquitos during summer, I heard the summing during night and covered my head with a net and was not bitten.

 

[Former member 92300]

I didn't experience any mosquitos in June (and July). Gnats - these are another story! Somewhere either at the end of the Meseta or near O Cebreiro if I am kind of remembering correctly - gnats were definitely a nuisance.