Ticks on the Frances?

[DaveO]

Are ticks an issue on the Frances?

 

[Ali@59]

Are ticks an issue on the Frances?

I don't think so unless you're going to be going of the paths which are well trodden or perhaps sitting in grassy or bracken areas

 

[nathanael]

have no fear of ticks spray your hiking boots with Permethrin and all will be well !!!!!!!

 

[Jennifer1959]

Number of Caminos - 3. Number of ticks - 0. Buen Camino

 

[peregrina2000]

Are ticks an issue on the Frances?

This will depend on the time of year and the weather conditions. Lots of rain in spring means more ticks. More greenery and natural growth means more possibility of ticks. There is a discussion of the issue on Gronze that is fairly recent, see here. According to what is said there (you can translate it using google chrome if you don’t speak Spanish), the predominant form of tick in Spain is not a carrier of Lyme Disease, so that might reduce whatever anxiety you have. I have not heard of large numbers of Francés pilgrims getting ticks, but if you search the forum, you will see some accounts.

I have had ticks on two different caminos — the Olvidado and the Salvador, and my walking buddy got a tick on the Vasco Interior. I know you can’t be prepared for everything, but after my first encounter, I started carrying a tiny “tick key” (available on amazon and many different sites). Very very small, I just stick it in my first aid ziplock baggie. It works beautifully.

 

[Terrri]

Not an issue, but they are there.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have had ticks on two different caminos — the Olvidado and the Salvador

Are the Camino paths that are less frequented possibly more prone to vegetation overgrowth along sections, causing rubbing of clothing where ticks may catch a ride?

 

[peregrina2000]

Are the Camino paths that are less frequented possibly more prone to vegetation overgrowth along sections, causing rubbing of clothing where ticks may catch a ride?

Yes, I bet that the fact that the Camino Francés is now overwhelmingly a walk on cleared, wide gravel paths reduces the risk a lot. Just be careful when going to pee, or sitting down for a picnic, etc etc.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yes, I bet that the fact that the Camino Francés is now overwhelmingly a walk on cleared, wide gravel paths reduces the risk a lot. Just be careful when going to pee, or sitting down for a picnic, etc etc.

At home when walking at local forest preserves the few times I have returned home with a tick have been when sitting down for a break with a granola bar, and squatting low to relieve myself. You are spot on with those two things!

 

[hikingpal]

I've never gotten a tick on the Camino, but they are in Spain so I assume they are along the Camino too, especially if you venture off the walking path. I just listened to a really informative episode of the podcast Ologies about ticks (link here, might not be family friendly though due to swearing). The best thing for ticks is prevention, and to catch them and remove them early. Generally, if they have been attached for less than 24 hours the chance of disease transmission is quite low (That info is also listed on the Minnesota DNR website). Showering each day and checking your crevices once or twice a day is probably the best thing to do (aside from tucking your pants into your socks--a very fashionable look, I'm told--and using a good bug spray with DEET and permethrin.) I think doing a regular tick check is just a good practice for recreating outside among nature no matter where or what you're doing!

 

[Ronald Boivin]

I don't think so unless you're going to be going of the paths which are well trodden or perhaps sitting in grassy or bracken areas

Some people I met had nervous ticks.

 

[JennyH94]

I can confirm they are there. A fellow Forum member (and dear, dear friend) was bitten by a tick while relaxing at the shady pilgrims’ rest area between Castrojeriz and Itero de la Vega back in June 2017. It’s on the left, on the crest of a hill - you can’t miss it.

It’s not my story to tell but there were long term consequences as a result of getting Lymes disease from the tick bite, despite receiving early medical advice and antibiotics.

Sitting in the shade and taking a welcome rest is a real joy on the Camino. Look into buying one of the super-lightweight thermorest hiking mats and you can sit safely on the ground beside the path or on a flat rock - they’re a great investment.

Buen Camino -
Jenny

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I take a piece of 3'x3' tyvek folded up in my pack to sit on outside. It's sturdy, thin and weighs "nothing". It's white color would be able to alert you if a tick happened to walk on it.

 

[henrythedog]

At home when walking at local forest preserves the few times I have returned home with a tick have been when sitting down for a break with a granola bar, and squatting low to relieve myself. You are spot on with those two things!

My regular walking companion was sent a ‘selfie’ by his wife who was out with her (thankfully) all female walking group. It took him a while to figure out what the photo was of (they’ve been happily married for a very long time) and made the mistake of passing his ‘phone around our associates for a second opinion. She ‘phoned immediately thereafter and explained that she needed advice in identifying and then removing a tick from an intimate part of her anatomy. We all saw her in a different light from that day on..

 

[Gringazolana]

I take a piece of 3'x3' tyvek folded up in my pack to sit on outside. It's sturdy, thin and weighs "nothing". It's white color would be able to alert you if a tick happened to walk on it.

Great idea! I have been using an old flannel-backed tablecloth to sit on outside but when it wears out I will replace it with something lighter-colored so any buggies will be visible.

 

[VNwalking]

I once picked up a tick on the Vasco, but never on the Frances. But as others have said, check yourself after going off the camino into grass.

 

[walkinglover]

Are ticks an issue on the Frances?

I have never had a tick and I've done 4 trips. I have Lyme Disease from being bitten by a deer tick while in my back yard. There are ticks everywhere. We must be vigilant. You might want to read this article. https://euroweeklynews.com/2021/08/05/huge-increase-of-ticks-reported-in-spain/

 

[howardd5]

Are ticks an issue on the Frances?

On a dozen Caminos I never saw a tick

 

[PEI_Heather]

This will depend on the time of year and the weather conditions. Lots of rain in spring means more ticks. More greenery and natural growth means more possibility of ticks. There is a discussion of the issue on Gronze that is fairly recent, see here. According to what is said there (you can translate it using google chrome if you don’t speak Spanish), the predominant form of tick in Spain is not a carrier of Lyme Disease, so that might reduce whatever anxiety you have. I have not heard of large numbers of Francés pilgrims getting ticks, but if you search the forum, you will see some accounts.

I have had ticks on two different caminos — the Olvidado and the Salvador, and my walking buddy got a tick on the Vasco Interior. I know you can’t be prepared for everything, but after my first encounter, I started carrying a tiny “tick key” (available on amazon and many different sites). Very very small, I just stick it in my first aid ziplock baggie. It works beautifully.

On the Vasco Interior...that sounds like a painful spot to get a tick, Laurie! Is it close to the Vastus Medialis?!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Yes indeed there are ticks out there, especially in April, May, and June. They do seem to prefer animal hosts, but I've picked up a few here and there... but I do a good bit of bushwhacking.

 

[MileHighPair]

On many Caminos, one tick. I picked it up along the brushy trail between Valcarlos and Roncesvalles, which is really a unique section of the Camino Frances. I saw it on my arm before it had a chance to bite. As other folks have said, most Caminos are along wide paths where a tick would need to be quite a magician to catch a human. Buen Camino!

 

[MiaBu]

Yes! But please don’t use permethrin or DEED! This is something to protect kids that live in malaria areas! If you love nature you use a muss less toxic spray to protect the environment. Take a look at Autan!

 

[RJM]

Multiple Caminos Frances.
Zero ticks encountered.
Zero mosquito encountered.
Zero bedbugs encountered.
Did get bitten by one horsefly as I was walking past....some horses and cows! lol

 

[peregrina2000]

Though this recent report comes from the Vdlp, it should leave no doubt that we should be careful about ticks in Spain.

 

[Former member 92300]

Number of Caminos - 3. Number of ticks - 0. Buen Camino

LOL... I have done lots of hiking on lots of trails that had bad tick problems and never got ticks. Doesn't mean that ticks were not a problem, It means I got lucky.

Anyhow - back to the OP - I know when I talked to some Spanish ladies they mentioned there were ticks in Spain (we even looked up the Spanish name for ticks so they would know what we were asking about) - but they don't seem to be a big problem on the Camino.

 

[MinaKamina]

Distribution maps of ticks here:

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-vectors/surveillance-and-disease-data/tick-maps

Note that 5 out of 7 species are present in Spain, and 4 (or perhaps even 5) of those 5 have been observed in the region of the CF.

Awareness is good, with simple precautions you have a better chance of evading them.
Autan Protection Plus is a spray that protects against ticks and mosquitos. It contains DEET.

 

[VeganCamino]

Are ticks an issue on the Frances?

Hi Dave, I don't think so. Others may have a different experience, but I never saw or heard of ticks. I live in Northern California and they are a huge issue here. Ditto Massachusetts, my former home. Never heard of it on the Camino. Enjoy.

 

[islandwalker]

Has anybody tried these tick repellant devices? I wonder if they work. I saw them advertised in Outside Magazine. They supposedly disorient the ticks by emitting ultrasonic pulses.

Tickless Tick & Flea & Dust-mite Repellent Products

The new generation of the 100% chemical-free ultrasonic tick, flea and dust mite repellent products has arrived. They are all harmless to people and animals. The Tickless/Miteless products disturb ticks, fleas and dust mites, therefore these annoying little pests lose their controls and senses...

ticklessusa.com

This doesn't sound promising, though:
Two ultrasonic pest controllers, a pet-collar unit and a large unit for household use, were tested for their efficacy in repelling fleas and ticks in a choice chamber. Neither unit had any affect on the distribution of fleas or ticks in the choice chamber up to 24 h exposure, and activity of fleas, ticks and cockroaches was unimpaired. The study extends and supports previous findings that ultrasound is ineffective as a means of controlling common pests of households and pets.

The efficacy of ultrasonic pest controllers for fleas and ticks - PubMed

Two ultrasonic pest controllers, a pet-collar unit and a large unit for household use, were tested for their efficacy in repelling fleas and ticks in a choice chamber. Neither unit had any affect on the distribution of fleas or ticks in the choice chamber up to 24 h exposure, and activity of...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Rebekah Scott]

It's a pilgrimage. You roll the dice, you take your chances.
Worrying about things like ticks, bedbugs, and fleas before you even arrive? All the more reason to walk the camino. Leave your chemicals at home.
It's gonna be alright.