What should get sprayed for bugs.

[Nelia L Keiser]

Hello
I am traveling September 2 from Texas to Madrid to begin this journey. I wanted to know what should be sprayed besides back pack and sleeping bag. Should all clothes and shoes be sprayed. Looking to do this the week before I travel.
Thank you for your advice.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Spraying everything is not necessary. There are lines of clothes treated with permethrin if you are concerned in general with bugs. People usually buy them for hunting or backyard mosquito bite protection. Permethrin is an insecticide with ambiguous repellent qualities. It is most effective for killing bed bugs that might be in your sleep sack or other items in your pack. While you are walking, the treatment will be killing! At night, bed bugs will attack exposed skin, usually head and arms of you are inside a sleeping bag. To repel them, you will need DEET or picaridin. Your treated sleeping bag or mattress cover will not protect exposed flesh.

 

[Roger B]

Before you get into any bed check the mattress for bugs. You need to look at the corners of the mattress where the piping is on the edge. The little blighters are very good at hiding so check behind any wall pictures or head boards. You might also see black marks which they leave behind. Also don't put your bags on the bed. If you do see any bugs please inform the owner immediately.

 

[simply B]

@Nelia L Keiser -

From the ground up, so to speak, here is what has worked for me...

1) Outer Socks
2) Outer Shirts
3) Slacks/Shorts
4) Silk Sleep Sack (or Sleeping Bag if you prefer)
5) Pack

I typically have accomplished all of this with the use of just one 32 oz bottle of Sawyer's permethrin.

I usually apply just a day or two before getting on the plane over. Label says it is good for something like 42 days (sorry I cannot remember) or six machine washings. I hand washed the exterior clothes only as needed, was on the Way for as much as 45 days at a time - never had a problem.

Hope that helps!

Buen Camino,

B

 

[SYates]

Please be also aware that some pilgrims might be suffering from asthma/multiple chemical sensitivities (spelling?) I spend a very unhappy night in Ponferrada in a small dorm in the parish albergue with a pilgrim spraying her stuff several times through the evening/night. Also bed bug resistance against permethrin and the like is on the increase ... So Permethrin is NOT a cure-it-all /prevent-it-all method. In the end, the really important bit is not to take those little buggers home ... Buen Camino sin Chinches, SY

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Outside of : backpack, sleeping bag and contour sheet of some sort. I do not spray my pillow case since it sits on top of the sheet. I use a large peiece of tule to cover the bed.

 

[JohnMcM]

Hello
I am traveling September 2 from Texas to Madrid to begin this journey. I wanted to know what should be sprayed besides back pack and sleeping bag. Should all clothes and shoes be sprayed. Looking to do this the week before I travel.
Thank you for your advice.

Hello Neila L Keiser,

It may help you to know that I have only ever used Permetherin to spray the outside and inside of my pack, the outside of my boots, and the outside of my sleeping bag/ or liner about a week before each Camino.

Whether by luck or through such preparation I don't know, but I have never had a problem.

Buen (bite-free) Camino

 

[Tarquin]

Hi, i am thinking of using an aromatherapy blend based spray with patchouli and citronella as those oils seem to keep lots of little nibbling things away. Would like to hear if anyone else has tried that combination. Thank you

 

[SYates]

Hi, i am thinking of using an aromatherapy blend based spray with patchouli and citronella as those oils seem to keep lots of little nibbling things away. Would like to hear if anyone else has tried that combination. Thank you

Sorry to break the news, but there is no scientific evidence at all that any aromatic oils have any effect on bed bugs. Bed bugs find their human victims mostly via the CO2 we exhale, they don't care how we smell.
Buen Camino, SY

 

[cher99840]

I use the soak method rather than the spray, except for my boots. Duration (Permethrin 10% Concentrate) comes with plastic bags and gloves. I follow the instructions to the letter and soak everything except my undergarments and sock liners.

It may be a waste of time, but until I suffer a "fail," I will continue to enjoy enhanced peace of mind.

 

[vlebe]

Let me take the opportunity of this thread to ask a ( probably already answered before) question.

I have never sprayed anything before going on the Camino. But I have always suffered - at least mildly - bed bug attacks on all 5 Caminos.

For next december I'm willing to give the Permethrin a go.

SHould I spray things that will be in contact with my skin? E.G.: Inside of sleeping bag, inner layers of clothing, etc?

Wouldn't it be toxic for the skin?

Thanks;
V.