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I spray my backpack, sleeping bag, and fitted sheet and never have had a problem and yet my traveling companions who didn't spray had them and they were close to me.Hi, there is plenty of comment on bedbugs on Camino, but they exist in the worlds best hotels.
In my five Caminos, I have never encountered one bed bug.
I always check my mattress, giving special attention to any creases. If available, I always put on the mattress cover, then my sleep sack or sleeping bag.
Never put your pack on your bunk.
Never lose sleep over bed bugs. If they are there, you will know it the next morning. Bites are painless...results are not.
Some folks swearby sprays, etc.
At the moment, Mountain Designs are having a massive sale here in Perth and I bought the Equip Debugger treatment yesterday for 14.98AUD INSTEAD OF 24.50AUD....Very good value indeed and it does work very well, having used it prior to all my Caminos and long distance walks. (Just for interest, I am one of those unfortunate people who are highly allergic to these little bugs)@Possumsocks - from the name I assume another Australian? If so, to treat your sleeping bag, the easiest is to go to a camping store and buy some Equip Debugger - instructions for use on the packet.
Yes, same here. Never had bedbug issues or met other pilgrims with bedbug issues, and that's on multiple Caminos going back seven years, in all seasons from April to September.Possomsocks, I have walked four Camino's and have had zero bed bug issues.
My personal choice is not to spray my gear/sleeping bag in chemicals or pesticides which may or may not work even if you do encounter bed bugs. The idea of having chemicals in that close of proximity to my body is not for me.
I will agree that encountering bed bugs is strictly 'luck of the draw' and they are not a problem until they are.
I have always walked starting in early April, so I wonder if the cooler weather in which I have walked makes them less of an issue versus hotter summer weather?
Apologies for being argumentative here, but, if one is Allergic to the bites of Bed Bugs and other bitey creatures, one Has to be aware and has to take precautions well beforehand. Also, it is NOT a matter of being "Picky about what Albergue' one stays in.....bed bugs are a well established fact of life these days, be it in the lowliest of places to stay or be it in the very best places. I too Do Not like the idea of using Chemicals but, if it means that I will have a modicum of self protection, then I must do this. The anti-biotics I have to take when my body reacts adversely to these bites, is far worse than the initial treatment of my gear.Yes, same here. Never had bedbug issues or met other pilgrims with bedbug issues, and that's on multiple Caminos going back seven years, in all seasons from April to September.
I too cannot imagine lying in a bag or wearing clothing soaked in poisonous chemicals, some of which have been shown to cause cancer.
I'm not saying it's not possible to encounter bedbugs, but definitely a future pilgrim should not worry about them. It's more important to carry less and walk healthy and to be picky about what auberge you stay in. Keep your pack and clothing and equipment clean and organized and inspect them outside in the sunlight.
Absolutely correct! I got bitten at the Marriott Hotel, downtown San Diego and then again (years later) at a very upscale airbnb in Paris, and yes once on the camino. Follow the basic rules and guidelines, don't put your packs on the beds. If you have any critters hitching a ride with you, YOU just spread them!Don’t ruin your pilgrimage worrying. They are there even when you do not see them.
I have been bit! But I would also never soak my clothes, sleeping bags etc in those chemicals. Mostly because few people say they work and they are harsh chemicals. Folks know your own bodies. Allergic reactions, talk to your doc before you hit the road carry necessary precautions, if the chemicals don't bother you, use them. There simply is no one correct answer for everybody!Yes, same here. Never had bedbug issues or met other pilgrims with bedbug issues, and that's on multiple Caminos going back seven years, in all seasons from April to September.
I too cannot imagine lying in a bag or wearing clothing soaked in poisonous chemicals, some of which have been shown to cause cancer.
I agree with you Victoria 65...we all know our own bodies, and we, each and everyone of us, has every right to choose ....there is no right or wrong answer to this question.I have been bit! But I would also never soak my clothes, sleeping bags etc in those chemicals. Mostly because few people say they work and they are harsh chemicals. Folks know your own bodies. Allergic reactions, talk to your doc before you hit the road carry necessary precautions, if the chemicals don't bother you, use them. There simply is no one correct answer for everybody!
How would one know they are allergic to bedbug bites before being bitten by them?Apologies for being argumentative here, but, if one is Allergic to the bites of Bed Bugs and other bitey creatures, one Has to be aware and has to take precautions well beforehand.
One doesn't. My opinion/guess is that if someone has walked the Camino Frances several times in recent years, and "has not been bitten", they are probably not allergic to them. I have been bitten a number of times but only seen the bugs once. The reaction I got on that occasion was unique enough that I have fairly good confidence that the same reaction on other occasions has been to (unseen) bedbugs.How would one know they are allergic to bedbug bites before being bitten by them?
Two serious and passionate replies to my noting that I observed no bedbug activity on the Camino... I am beginning to believe that some members hold stock in chemical pesticide companies.Nonetheless I will remain staunch and repeat that over the years and Caminos I saw none and I do not want to frighten the uninitiated researching on this forum by making it an issue.
One doesn't. My opinion/guess is that if someone has walked the Camino Frances several times in recent years, and "has not been bitten", they are probably not allergic to them.
Hi, I did my Camino in 2016 ( not my last though). I didn't encounter a single bed bug, although an Italian girl I met did get bitten)Hi, there is plenty of comment on bedbugs on Camino, but they exist in the worlds best hotels.
In my five Caminos, I have never encountered one bed bug.
I always check my mattress, giving special attention to any creases. If available, I always put on the mattress cover, then my sleep sack or sleeping bag.
Never put your pack on your bunk.
Never lose sleep over bed bugs. If they are there, you will know it the next morning. Bites are painless...results are not.
Some folks swearby sprays, etc.
Bedbugs.com????
Thats the Hasbro (toy makers) official website. Still, its probably a more reliable source of information than Booking.com
Hygiene has almost nothing to do with bed bugs. An albergue can be very clean and still have bed bugs. A Pilgrim can be very clean and still be bitten. The disposable linens do nothing and may simply provide a bed bug a better toehold. Even close examination of a place is not perfect protection, and moving on at 6 p.m. when you have found the last bed in town is a grim prospect.Hi, I did my Camino in 2016 ( not my last though). I didn't encounter a single bed bug, although an Italian girl I met did get bitten)
Most of the place I stayed gave us disposable mattress and pillow covers. Take basic hygiene precautions and enjoy beautiful Spain.
Good question. But that being said, some people DO have a histamine reaction to a variety of different insect bites. Some reactions can be rather severe and should be prepared for. Me, I just scratch like mad for three days...Nasty little bitesHow would one know they are allergic to bedbug bites before being bitten by them?
I live in Alberta and currently there is a battle getting a pipeline built to the west coast in BC from Alberta oil producers.'The idea of having chemicals in close proximity to my body is not for me' - just to be a tiny bit facetious .here....do you use deodorants, shampoos, soap etc....all pf these contain quite harmful chemicals which are very bad for our bodies and yet, we put them directly onto said bodies
jere....
Hi, there is plenty of comment on bedbugs on Camino, but they exist in the worlds best hotels.
In my five Caminos, I have never encountered one bed bug.
I always check my mattress, giving special attention to any creases. If available, I always put on the mattress cover, then my sleep sack or sleeping bag.
Never put your pack on your bunk.
Never lose sleep over bed bugs. If they are there, you will know it the next morning. Bites are painless...results are not.
Some folks swearby sprays, etc.
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