jeffrey r aitken
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Hopefully leave the states 2nd week of April 2014, Right now i am lost in my existence of living my life and need a cleansing before making my move to Cambodia
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I got bitten (and saw the critters, at one of the more expensive private accommodations I stayed in) and I talked to others who encountered them, in November. I did my best to sterilize all my stuff, and had no more contact. I was VERY careful when I got home to put everything straight into the washer/dryer or into the freezer. Yes, they DO exist and you should expect them, but not worry.
Yes, unfortunately those signs and, even worse, such "collections" as shown by Kiwi-family are evidently from bed- bugs. There are, however, other bugs which appear during certain times of the year and in different areas, which can attach themselves to pants and other, and bite without you noticing it until a day or so later. Watch out when in "nature"![...] I had the the classic 3 bite "breakfast, lunch and dinner" line that was very swollen for a coupe of days [...]
Anne, I am sure you are right. There is a significant BB problem in most capital cities, and most airport transit hotels. Some take it seriously others don't. One is left to speculate on how the little b*ggers get on the Camino in the first place... Never seen them asking questions on the Forum....
Personally, I don't think that by sleeping in private accommodation ( pensions, casas rurales or hotels) gives you more protection Anne
Always, always, always notify the hospitaleros or proprietors.Great feedback Pilgrims . Im sorry for those who have been bitten. When one does get assaulted by bugs what is your response to the people in charge? Or do you try to destoy them yourself?
They are dormant in the cold, so they are year around in the heated places, but disappear in the ones that are cold, at least until spring.I'm wondering if they are seasonal or are they around all year ?
I now know it takes up to 5 hours for the bite to show and itch.
If its a couple bites use a topical, If lots of bites use something like Bennydril [spelling] .........What are your suggestions against the itching? Had them once and the itching was just terrible. Prb allergic.
I'm with Ellen. If you should avoid putting your pack on your bed, and avoid putting it on the floor...do they supply hooks, or should we constantly have our pack in a compression sack, or giant trash bag the majority of the time we are inside?I have been doing alot of reading about these bedbugs and have a question... The Clako can be purchased in SJPdP? I went to the website and since it was in french i figured that is where I might be able to purchase it. Those of you using lavender and tea tree oil, you make this up ahead and bring it in a spray bottle? Is there a good recipe? I have heard the teat tree oil both used to keep them away and to treat the bites?
I also wondered about the packs on the beds... I am trying to figure out how i will get stuff out of my pack and where i can set it (with little risk) as i rummage through it... It will be my first Camino and maybe there are places, tables, or something where we can do this to keep the packs off the beds and floor.
I also wondered for those of you that prepared a sheet or liner or pack prior to your trip... Is pyrethrum and permethrin equally powerful against the critters? Has anyone had trouble with the permethrin smelling once it dries? I posted a similar comment on another bedbug thread but did not get answer...
I am sure the anticipation of these things is far greater than it is in reality and certainly will be overshadowed by the fabulousness of the adventure... But gosh i hate bugs!
Ellen, I pack all my clothes in two large zip lock bags, so simply pull them out of my pack ( which is on the floor) and then sort on the bed out what I want. Occasionally you will find a chair. I can't remember ever seeing a table in the dorm. Sometimes the structure of the bunk bed allows you to hang the pack by its loop over one of the end poles. It doesn't work with all models of bunk beds. The metal ones are usually better as they have narrower end poles.I also wondered about the packs on the beds... I am trying to figure out how i will get stuff out of my pack and where i can set it (with little risk) as i rummage through it... It will be my first Camino and maybe there are places, tables, or something where we can do this to keep the packs off the beds and floor.
!
An 18" piece of parachute cord is lighter and more versatile.a bungie cord works for hanging your pack off the bunk bed corner
Trapped air in Ziploks can fill a small backpack, and plastic bags that are large can make it difficult to stuff them into the pack. They also will keep moisture in, leading to a wet smell. Plastic bags are a mixed blessing. If it fits into your budget, nylon-type stuff sacks keep your items dry and separate, release air if you don't close them too tightly, and weigh very little if you buy the ultralite models. http://www.rei.com/product/794946/rei-lightweight-stuff-sack-ziplock idea and plan to use several of those to separate my items
Being a miserable Scot I'm intending to multi-task my bright orange plastic survival bag using insulating tape to seal it.
Firstly to transport my rucksack with the airline, then as an anti-bug bag, and hopefully never for its intended purpose.
Come on, Falcon. I squeeze all the air out of the zip lock bag before I zip it! They almost become vacuum packs. In any case, they are opened up once in the Albergue. No, I have never experienced moisture or nasty smells!An 18" piece of parachute cord is lighter and more versatile.Trapped air in Ziploks can fill a small backpack, and plastic bags that are large can make it difficult to stuff them into the pack. They also will keep moisture in, leading to a wet smell. Plastic bags are a mixed blessing. If it fits into your budget, nylon-type stuff sacks keep your items dry and separate, release air if you don't close them too tightly, and weigh very little if you buy the ultralite models. http://www.rei.com/product/794946/rei-lightweight-stuff-sack-
Reading through my post, I meant that we dealt with at least 12 cases of Pilgrims ARRIVING with bed bugs. Thank goodness, we didn't have any! AnnePersonally I have never been bitten and I've been walking the Camino since 2007, however when I was hospitalero in 2010 in Rabanal, over the two weeks we were on duty, we treated at least 12 cases of bed bugs.
Of course, we knew what to look for and went through the whole protocol required by us, to deal with each case.
Some Albergues do have a bad reputation but I don't want to mention them here in public.
Some people react more strongly to bites than others
Bed bugs could be hanging out in o e bed, but not in the bed next door!
Personally, I don't think that by sleeping in private accommodation ( pensions, casas rurales or hotels) gives you more protection, as I think that most Albergues, being very much involved and concerned with the bed bug problem, do make the necessary measures to keep them at bay. Most hospitaleros go through a thorough cleaning process each morning, which is not the same as a chamber maid might do! Anne
My personal request when staying in albergues is that packs NOT be set on chairs. If the chairs are covered with packs or other personal item, then pilgrims who end up on the top bunks have no place to sit when they are organizing themselves and their stuff.
Airport baggage handling equipment can be very hard on straps and buckles. Wrapping your backpack in something can protect them. Replacement buckles are a bit hard to find on the Camino.thought i could just check the pack as is
Hey Ellen
My receipe is
50ml spray bottle (travel kind)
1/4 teaspoon tee tree oil
1/4 teaspoon lavender
Top up with water
Its not an exact science...
I topped up once or twice over two montgs of travel.
Im not saying mine is fool proof cause I didn't get bugs. But so far so good.
I get reactions to everything...so this was the safest thing for me.
[quote="Of course, we knew what to look for and went through the whole protocol required by us, to deal with each case.
Some Albergues do have a bad reputation but I don't want to mention them here in public.
Are you allowed to check the bedding BEFORE you pay for the bed? If so, do you leave if bugs are noted?Always, always, always notify the hospitaleros or proprietors.
Are you allowed to check the bedding BEFORE you pay for the bed? If so, do you leave if bugs are noted?
This is all such great info! T2Andr, you rock for finding out the locations to purchase whats sounds like a miracle spray! I plan to mix up one spray of the lavender, tea tree oil and then purchase the other in SJPdP... There are four of us traveling together, so the two will come in handy if we get separated. I almost feel like it will be my own fault if we end up bit. I know what to look for when we arrived, i will have a treated fitted sheet to put on the bed, i will reapply spray to sleeping bag, wrap my pack in plastic bag overnight... Of course, as the camino goes on and i do not get bitten i will need to not become lazy! Thanks again for all the great info!
I got bitten on the feet in the municipal albergue at Ovieroa in Septembet 2012. Since then I spray everything with Permetherin. I also now carry a bedsheet which has also been treated and has micro pores (allegedly) too small for the critters. It's washable and dries fast (I've washed to to test this). The treatment is supposed to last 40 washes. So - fingers crossed. I too believe in hanging the ba and carry a caribiner with a shoelace attached to hang it up with. I also have a dry bag to keep the sheet in. I'm a great believer in dry bags to keep things dry and organised and they also rustle less than plastic bags.
Father Moses, look at Pyramid Bed Bug Guard Sheet and Pillow Case on www.purpleturtle.co.uk
Father Moses,
Here is another anti bedbug sheet made by Life Systems and sold by Amazon.
Margaret Meredith
Just wondering... do you use this or any sheet, Margaret?
Ellen,
Have done a fair amount of reading as well. The good news is that permethrin does not have an odor once it dries or at least according to what I've read as well as my own experience (sprayed a bunch of gear this weekend). The bad news is that some populations of bed bugs are not affected by permethrin, bummer. I've read that the hostel/albergue across from the Camino Headquarters (not sure if that is the proper term) in SJPdP sells a spray that might be the one you mention. Kanga and AnnieSantiago have some great suggestions on prevention/recognizing the little critters. Annie has an article about it on her Web page. I am planning to bring a clear trash bag and put my pack into it at night. I've also treated my pack. Best of luck and I hope we all stay bug free.
LoneStar
This sounds great...but am I correct in reading that you are bringing a fitted twin sheet as well as a sleeping bag? I didn't even think of this, but I guess it makes sense.This is all such great info! T2Andr, you rock for finding out the locations to purchase whats sounds like a miracle spray! I plan to mix up one spray of the lavender, tea tree oil and then purchase the other in SJPdP... There are four of us traveling together, so the two will come in handy if we get separated. I almost feel like it will be my own fault if we end up bit. I know what to look for when we arrived, i will have a treated fitted sheet to put on the bed, i will reapply spray to sleeping bag, wrap my pack in plastic bag overnight... Of course, as the camino goes on and i do not get bitten i will need to not become lazy! Thanks again for all the great info!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?