Bed Bugs

[Gazza]

First time user. My wife, her girlfriend & I will be doing the Camino in June/July 2010....at time of booking didn't realise it was a holy year.
Due to time constraints starting at Burgos. Wish we could start tomorrow.
The only thing fazing us is bed bugs.
Are they really as bad as I have read & is there precautions one can take

Gazza

[Covey]

In June/July you only need a lightweight sleeping bag, or just take a sleeping bag liner.

You can buy a "bug treated" sleeping bag liner in the UK in silk or cotton, or you can treat your own bags using Permethrin which is the best stuff around.

[Gazza]

Thanx for the feedback. Looks like Permethrin it is
Gazza

[tony graham]

Hi,some people get them some don,t,I actually took a silk sleeping bag liner supposed to be good at keeping the bugs at bay.When I walked the Camino I met a few walkers who had been bitten,the majority hadn,t,I was always advised to pick a top bunk in any albergue for obvious reasons,bugs can,t fall on you if you are on top!!!!Just check your bunk bed before you bed down for the night,a lot of municipal albergues now supply a paper mattress cover, regardless of bugs enjoy your journey,Tony..

[Gazza]

thanx Tony

Top Bunk, what a gr8 idea

Gazza

[JacquelineRowe]

Hi Gazza

I'm starting in April and also asked the same question in a different forum. Personally I'm not going to sleep in the beds if I get lucky enough to get one, but put my sleeping bag on top, use a top bunk, also carry a plastic sheet to put over the bed under my sleeping bag (they fold up small & weigh nothing) and rely on a bit of luck!

Am also an Aussie - Melbourne!

Good luck and enjoy!

[Iassak]

About Permethrin..how and where does one buy it..I am in Canada and planning to to do Camino in late June this time the Camino Norte and Primitivo.
I.

[Gazza]

Iassak

I "ggogled" it in Oz & found a travel clinic in Melbourne that sell the concentrate in bottles, so we can wash the sleeping bags & clothes before we go

Gazza

[Gazza]

Has anybody heard of a treated undersheet that goes between sleeping bag & mattress.

[Covey]

Simplest way is to buy a very cheap single fitted sheet and soak it in a solution of Permetherin.

I use a silk sleeping bag liner which has been treated with Permetherin cos the silk has excellent thermal properties and keeps me warm.