Looking for advice now that my Camino is done.

[GerFol]

Hi all, just finished the Camino Frances and definitely one of the best experiences of my life. Just looking for a little advice as I return home today. Got some insect bites on my arms over the last few days which turned out to be from mosquitos. I've heard that bedbugs can hitch a ride on your rucksack and while I didn't encounter any I want to take precautions when I get home. I plan to immediately wash all clothing at a high temperature and place them into the dryer. Is there anything else I should do particularly with my rucksack and sleeping bag? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Gerard.
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[Susannafromsweden]

Hi Gerard,

You will find a lot of information about how to deal bedbugs in our new Bed bug forum:
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/bed-bugs.119/

Buen camino
Susanna

(I also moved your thread to this forum)

 

[jgray]

I had the same concern. I sprayed my sleeping bag and backpack and hung them in the rafters in the garage for weeks and upon reuse, had no bug incidents, though I returned to Houston in July and counted on the scorching heat there to help. This time of year, I'd spray, double bag, and forget about them for a while.

 

[wayfarer]

If you have a large freezer pop all your gear in there for a few days then launder when thawed. I stripped to the skin in my garage when I got home then bagged everything and put them in the freezer including the pack. That should do the job and no chemicals.

 

[pilgrim b]

Hi, once you get home has any one laundered their Osprey Talon pack they say it can be washed but by hand or in the machine?

 

[Tincatinker]

The problem with laundering packs is that any detergent used, including traces in your machine (how often does anyone clean out the detergent drawer) will damage the proofing. Permethrin does a solid job without damage to pack, or washing machine. Just be sensible and handle the Permethrin properly.

 

[C clearly]

I washed my Osprey Talon 33 in the washing machine, and dried it in the drier. It seems OK, although I had to work it a bit to recover the correct curvature. I can't guarantee anything, but these things are not fragile and I decided that washing was an important risk to take. I also put everything that wasn't washable into the freezer for 2 weeks. I could have just put the pack in the freezer too, but there wasn't a lot of room!

 

[Irène Elisabet]

I've seen on other tread mentions of dry cleaning gear - has anyone just gone straight from the airport to a drycleaners? I'm wondering if they will unpack and dry clean everything? Anyone?