Bedbug sightings

[Roseallee]

Any recent bedbug sightings a la Frances? To rephrase the old adage: "Once shy, never bitten" Roseallee

[frogmarch]

There were some in Logro?o a week or so ago, but the albergue was closed and fumigated and was to open last Tuesday or Wednesday (26 August) according to the Mundicamino website. Should be fine now.

[Roseallee]

Hi Frogmarch (what a great name!)
I appreciate your reply. Roseallee

[redrat]

Any recent bedbug sightings a la Frances? To rephrase the old adage: "Once shy, never bitten" Roseallee

Socrates said that bed bugs were a necessity in life, they keep us from sleeping too much....

But info is appreciated.

[Roseallee]

Socrates said that bed bugs were a necessity in life, they keep us from sleeping too much....

But info is appreciated.

Thanks for the change of perspective but somehow it doesn't ease the mind much.

[redrat]

Thanks for the change of perspective but somehow it doesn't ease the mind much.

pamplona municipal albergue
Burgos municipal albergue, I was bitten a lot
Casa Nuestra CASTROJERIZ avoid at all cost

[coach_L]

When I was on the walk I saw a few - a handful of people - that had bedbug bites. Ok - one woman had them on her face! Ouch.

Lucky for me - I got none. I suggest a plastic type sleeping pillow to put on the pillow on your bed at night. Also use your sleeping bag! Some of the folks I spoke with abandoned their sleeping bag and were using the blankets from the albergue. Big mistake in my estimate!

I saw some ladies rip apart their beds before they got in - they checked the seams of the beddding etc. Guess what, then they used the blanket provided at the end of their beds!

The good thing is that they are itchy but they will not prevent you from walking.

[AMNUSA]

Yes, there are still bedbugs on the Camino. I have just returned after walking the CDF route in Oct/Nov. Reports of bad infestations in the municipal albergue at El Acebo and at Manjarin. I was bitten in Ferrerios but not bad. Before I left to walk the Camino I sprayed my sleeping bag with Permethrin and washed a sheet in it (but left it in an Albergue in Punta la Reina ) and I carried a Permethrin spray. If it looked like there were signs of them I sprayed the bed. So, take the best precautions that you can before you leave and also when you come home. You definitely don't want them in your home. However, it looks like they are on the Camino to stay.

[coach_L]

Ah, I never stayed in a Municipal Albergue....maybe that's a difference as well. Yes, the bedbugs are likely there to stay and I guess you have to have the attitude that you will do what you can to prevent them, however, bed bug bites are part of the Camino if you get them despite precautions!

As an aside, last week a girlfriend got a spider bite at her house, she thinks it was in a comforter she used when laying on her couch (a very clean woman believe me, with a beautiful home). She has been to the doctor, been to the hospital, and for the past week has had a nurse come to her home to drain this 'bulge' on her thigh every day, and re-pack the dressing. My point being, not just on the camino do bites happen!

[peregrina maria]

Hi,

I am just back from 10 weeks on the Camino Franc?s. I really have been counting my blessings as I was not personally troubled by any bedbugs in that entire time, though I did see evidence of past infestation and know of a number of albergues that were treated. However, I did meet other pilgrims who had been bitten very badly.

The main troublespots that I heard of recently were Logrono and Castrojeriz. I stayed in the Municipals at Burgos and and Ferreiros and had no problems. Most of the Xunta albergues in Galicia now have signs in the windows stating that they have been treated against pest infestation. Furthermore, when checking in at the Xunta albergues, all pilgrims are now issued with single-use sealed mattress and pillow protectors (as well as a single sachet of alcohol-based cleansing gel). Towards the end, I felt much more confident staying in the Xunta albergues than in the privados.

No matter where I stayed, albergue, hostal or other accommodation, I always made a point of checking for bedbugs before unpacking. If I had any suspicion of activity, I sprayed with insect repellant and waited a while before committing myself further though thankfully never had to move.

It looks as though bedbugs are going to be difficult to eliminate from the Camino so just try and remain vigilent.

Saludos.

[coach_L]

Maria - thanks for the update! I wonder how they will handle the expected rush for next year - the Camino is supposed to be packed as it is a holy year!

Good to hear you were not 'bitten'.

I saw a woman that had a wonderful bag that she put on her pillow that had a tie string on it. It was a somewhat plastic, but not the kind that would rustle when you moved your head on it and annoy you when trying to sleep. I think it was a good idea. She got it at a hiking store....when I do the Camino again - I will bring one with me for sure.

Welcome back after 10 weeks on the Camino! I miss it so much!

Lorna