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Bed bugs can be living anywhere, but I have walked many caminos since 2008, every year. I have never seen a bed bug. I always check mattresses, liners, blankets, etc. Never seen a trace of them. But I have seen many "pilgrim" brutes, who I would call real bugs on the caminos.Hi, i am looking for info from those presently or recently on the CF with regards to the bed bugs..
In the past pilgrims stated that the situation is good to bad to none, sometimes confused.
Also looking for where did people find those buggers such as donativo's, albergue, private rooms etc.
Thank you,
focused destiny
All are true. As @Pafayac said, bed bugs are transported by pilgrims. Regardless of how well hospitaleros cleaned and checked for bed bugs in the morning a pilgrim can bring them in the afternoon.In the past pilgrims stated that the situation is good to bad to none,
All of the above. Any place that hosts human beings can potentially have bed bugs. Including 5 star hotels, trains, and planes!Also looking for where did people find those buggers such as donativo's, albergue, private rooms etc.
As @trecile said, all of the above are true, and click on the "bed bugs" tag to read much much more.In the past pilgrims stated that the situation is good to bad to none, sometimes confused.
Also looking for where did people find those buggers such as donativo's, albergue, private rooms etc.
I have been bitten once that I know of, and if the bites hadn't been on a place easily visible to me I never would have known that I had been bitten.It is important to know that many people are not allergic to the bites, so they will never know if they have been bitten. That might account for the huge disparity between the "never encountered a bedbug" crowd and the "bedbugs are common" crowd.
I agree with you about pilgrims are the vehicles bringing them from place to place. Everyone must do their part to reduce those buggers. I find that it is not as bad as it used to be because the accommodations are also doing their part. It is a a ton of work for these owners and unfortunately a reality.Perhaps it is an opportunity to remember that bed bugs are brought by pilgrims.
Please, do not put your backpacks on beds, and spray repellent on your backpacks, sleeping bags and sheets...
It seems to me that the most likely place for bed bugs to be would be in your sleeping gear, so I'm not sure that this solves the problem.Albergue in Porto had lockers on a different floor than the sleeping floor.
I would be interested to find out if that kept the buggers out of the beds.
I don't understand how people think that unpacking backpacks in one room and sending the sleeping bags and clothes to another room can help in any way. Bedbugs are attracted to the sleeping people in their bed clothes. If the bugs come and bite the person, and don't get back to their protected lairs before morning, they will get wrapped up in the bedding, packed into the backpack in the other room, and transported to the next albergue where they may emerge in one room or the other. They are perfectly capable of walking from one room to the other.
Similarly, keeping all packs off the bed won't help. The bugs are more likely transported in the bedding, which will be placed on - where else, but the bed! The backpack on the floor is still nicely accessible to the bugs, although they likely prefer to be close to the sleeping people. Keep your dirty pack off the bed anyway!
What were you planning to spray or treat with a liquid? Yourself? Your rucksack / other gear?Where along the CF would a pilgrim find a spray or liquid to add to their arsenal of treatments against these buggers.
I am always a little concerned when people post about the use of chemical sprays or liquids by pilgrims for the deterrence or elimination of bedbugs. Some fellow pilgrims may be particularly sensitive to these substances especially when used in the confined space of an albergue dormitory. Fortunately not myself as far as I am aware. There is also some temptation to overdo the treatments 'just in case'. Though sprays which are available over the counter to the general public should be safe if used as directed. Within the past few days here in the UK there was a widely publicised court case over the death of a child and the poisoning of several other neighbours through the negligent and illegal use of a commercial insecticide to kill bedbugs by a resident in a block of flats. The Facebook post which I linked in post #2 above also mentions the issue of frequent exposure leading to increased resistance to particular insecticides - an issue similar to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. While treating your gear with repellents in advance of your trip as directed seems a reasonable precaution I think we should be very cautious in the use of insecticides while actually on the Camino itself.What were you planning to spray or treat with a liquid? Yourself? Your rucksack / other gear?
It would be mostly for outside of backpack and sleeping liner . Not worried about inside because I use water proof backpack liner. Just enough of a deterrent to say this is not your home….What were you planning to spray or treat with a liquid? Yourself? Your rucksack / other gear?
Is this just a visual check for small bugs crawling around?Bed bugs can be living anywhere, but I have walked many caminos since 2008, every year. I have never seen a bed bug. I always check mattresses, liners, blankets, etc. Never seen a trace of them. But I have seen many "pilgrim" brutes, who I would call real bugs on the caminos.
No no never spray inside.Please don't spray toxic stuff in albergues. You can cause your allergic fellow pilgrim to suffocate and die.
Bring a pet cockroach with you on the road. Or a gecko. They feed on bedbugs and are much faster than them. Environmentally friendly. Clean. Portable. Reusable.
Chemicals are old school there are natural and friendly spray and liquids now that have no permethrin in it.I am always a little concerned when people post about the use of chemical sprays or liquids by pilgrims for the deterrence or elimination of bedbugs. Some fellow pilgrims may be particularly sensitive to these substances especially when used in the confined space of an albergue dormitory. Fortunately not myself as far as I am aware. There is also some temptation to overdo the treatments 'just in case'. Though sprays which are available over the counter to the general public should be safe if used as directed. Within the past few days here in the UK there was a widely publicised court case over the death of a child and the poisoning of several other neighbours through the negligent and illegal use of a commercial insecticide to kill bedbugs by a resident in a block of flats. The Facebook post which I linked in post #2 above also mentions the issue of frequent exposure leading to increased resistance to particular insecticides - an issue similar to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. While treating your gear with repellents in advance of your trip as directed seems a reasonable precaution I think we should be very cautious in the use of insecticides while actually on the Camino itself.
And have no evidenced impact on CimexChemicals are old school there are natural and friendly spray and liquids now that have no permethrin in it.
Where along the CF would a pilgrim find a spray or liquid to add to their arsenal of treatments against these buggers.
Personally I would never hang my pack off my bunk and have never seen anyone else do this but I haven't been on the Francés for years and stick to less traveled routes.I walked the CF last September/October and didn’t run into any bedbugs, but met a couple of people who had received bites and steered clear of one albergue that had a confirmed infestatation the day I walked through. (It was NOT one of the albergues that sometimes comes up on this topic.) I also did not use any albergue blankets, because they seemed like an obvious hiding place.
I’m about to start a second camino in a couple of days — here’s my question — I know the convential wisdom about never putting your pack on a bed, but how does this intersect with the common practice of hanging your pack off the bunk with an S-hook? Is the floor a better option? Just curious about what others have found. Thanks and buen camino.
I understood alcohol needed to sprayed directly onto the insect for it to be effective. Merely spraying your gear won't be much point unless you know there are bedbugs present and you are spraying them. Perhaps someone who has better knowledge about treatment regimes can clarify this.I’ve sprayed my pack, sleeping bag/liner, and mattress (in private accommodations) with alcohol. It has to be at least 91% alcohol, and you can get it at any pharmacy in Spain at very low cost. You just need a small travel size spray bottle. It can kill the bugs, their eggs, and repel them. I’ve never had an issue, but I’ve only been on 2 Caminos. And, of course you want to be conscientious before you spray anything around others. I can tolerate the smell, and it’s very short lived.
I can understand your enthusiasm to be well informed, but I wonder if you aren't jumping the gun here. Any hospitalero/a or other person in charge of accommodation premises who is informed about an infestation now should be getting it treated and eradicated, when any alarm raised about a particular place will have become outdated. I realize there are also regular stories about places being slow to react, but I'm not sure how much credibility these deserve. Most of us move on before any treatment might get started, so don't see what has been done about any reports we make.Hi, i am looking for info from those presently or recently on the CF with regards to the bed bugs.
Where along the CF would a pilgrim find a spray or liquid to add to their arsenal of treatments against these buggers
My understanding is yes if you spray them directly it’ll kill them and their eggs. But, apparently they also don’t like the smell, and it will repel them. You can look this up. It’s not a 100% deterrent and I don’t think there is one. But, if they’re around they’ll probably either come out of hiding or at least jump off my things!I understood alcohol needed to sprayed directly onto the insect for it to be effective. Merely spraying your gear won't be much point unless you know there are bedbugs present and you are spraying them. Perhaps someone who has better knowledge about treatment regimes can clarify this.
Hmmm... I was leaning towards the liceAh, the bed bug, dear old Cimex lectularius, our oldest most constant and loyal companion.
Well for what its worth - I'm a pretty avid traveller as well. I've been to hotels, motels, albergues, hostals, luxury resorts, timeshare units and AirB&Bs to name a fewI am a very advid traveller and have delt with bed bugs and many other pests in my travels however the bed bug is the most irratating due to its ability to catch a ride.
Find it easier to deal with them if you are able to find out creditable proof of the situation.
Its a all hands on deck
I tried looking it up with some quick Googling but didn't find anything to support this. Since it would be very interesting and good news, can you give us a link?apparently they also don’t like the smell, and it will repel them. You can look this up.
Certainly! First, make sure you use your common sense and please don’t set yourself or your surroundings on fire. We’re pilgrims walking a camino, we’re not fighting an infestation in a home or in an apartment building. Here’s two, and of course, there’s plenty others that’ll tell you: “No! That’s bonkers! Just stomp on them, call a professional, or use a pesticide!” Use your best judgement.I tried looking it up with some quick Googling but didn't find anything to support this. Since it would be very interesting and good news, can you give us a link?
The first article you linked claimed that bedbugs "hate" the smell but that was unsupported by any evidence. The second link addressed killing them on direct contact but didn't mention the smell as a deterrent.apparently they also don’t like the smell, and it will repel them
Not a problem for me. Do your own research, and think for yourself. That’s what I did! I used it, and had not one issue. I only gave my personal experience, and I believe it’s valid. Thanks for sharing your opinion!The first article you linked claimed that bedbugs "hate" the smell but that was unsupported by any evidence. The second link addressed killing them on direct contact but didn't mention the smell as a deterrent.
I don't doubt that spraying alcohol on a bedbug will kill it, or that a bug will avoid a surface that is wet with alcohol. However, alcohol evaporates very quickly, leaving little or no odour. That's why I was curious about any research to support the claim about the smell of alcohol repelling bedbugs. Those links don't provide any such evidence, so I remain very skeptical.
Too cold for them to emerge perhapsIn 12 Caminos I have never seen or been bitten by a bed bug. Of interest is the fact that bed bug reports do not usually emerge on this forum until July, August or September. Where are they earlier in the season?
If you look up natural bed bug repellants there are essential oils, lemon grass, lavender, rosemary, tea tree etc. Just make up a mixture and dilute with water (few drops of a each or a mixture in 100ml bottle) put into a small spray bottle or a couple of bottles and spray your bed before you put anything on it and your bag, pack etc every day, that way you aren't inadvertently taking any hikers with you and you are protecting your things. Don't need to use harsh chemicals to do the job.Perhaps it is an opportunity to remember that bed bugs are brought by pilgrims.
Please, do not put your backpacks on beds, and spray repellent on your backpacks, sleeping bags and sheets...
This topic comes up frequently on the forum. There is a lot of misinformation floating around about bedbugs. People really want to think they have a solution, so they happily accept unproven theories. Or they think for themselves and develop a new theory that seems to make sense and promote it as fact. Would it not make equal sense for perfumes to attract bedbugs as to deter them?If you look up natural bed bug repellants there are essential oils,... spray your bed before you put anything on it and your bag, pack etc every day,
So, the reason I've never been bitten is because I stink of alcohol?But, apparently they also don’t like the smell, and it will repel them.
Did you mean the solvent? Got to be useful for something....Orujo is the solution
In 12 Caminos I have never seen or been bitten by a bed bug. Of interest is the fact that bed bug reports do not usually emerge on this forum until July, August or September. Where are they earlier in the season?
The OP’s question regarded recent sitings of bedbugs. While this is difficult to answer, I do have a suggestion that might be of some help. The Wise Pilgrim app includes reviews from pilgrims on places they have stayed. On my last Camino I found several reviews that discussed bedbugs with good details of the specific situation. I avoided these few locations and never encountered bedbugs. However, it is important to look at the date of the review since the owner most likely will have resolved any issues over time. The few that I avoided had reviews from the prior 30 days. This is by no means comprehensive since many locations do not have reviews or any recently posted reviews. However, this may help provide a partial answer/suggestion to the OP’s question.Hi, i am looking for info from those presently or recently on the CF with regards to the bed bugs..
In the past pilgrims stated that the situation is good to bad to none, sometimes confused.
Also looking for where did people find those buggers such as donativo's, albergue, private rooms etc.
Thank you,
focused destiny
I walked right into that. I know, I’m sorry, yes there's no way to know if it’s the scent that caused a bed bug to avoid someone. You can’t exactly ask a bed bug. There is an older study out of the University of Nebraska that suggests bed bugs avoid blood with alcohol in it as well, or at the very least they don’t prefer it. They say it essentially stunts their growth! So not a bad idea, enjoy the OrujoSo, the reason I've never been bitten is because I stink of alcohol?
Skip Permethrin, Lavender Oil, Mint, DEET, Eau de Cologne. Orujo is the solution
You can experience them at 4 star hotels around the world. Bed bugs are a reverse lottery, one you don't want to win. If you experience them politely and privately tell the host so they can treat the situation. Then treat all of your clothes and backpack and continue on your journey.Hi, i am looking for info from those presently or recently on the CF with regards to the bed bugs..
In the past pilgrims stated that the situation is good to bad to none, sometimes confused.
Also looking for where did people find those buggers such as donativo's, albergue, private rooms etc.
Thank you,
focused destiny
That COVID did a number even on bedbugs!1 Camino = 3 times bitten. Last time I was bitten was the last night before Santiago where I had over 100 bites.My husband was on the bunk above and didn't get one single bite. Sigh...
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