16 Ways I Avoided Bedbugs on The Camino de Santiago, Camino Frances, Mike On The Camino

[@gayledixon72]

Fun and informative......picked up bedbugs on international trips....no fun. Good advice.

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikieperson4135]

The bit about the bulletproof cowboys was really interesting, digging your channel!

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Thanks Mikie! Yes my head is full of odd info that somehow relates at times. More are coming, just crazy schedule the past couple of weeks, and the next 3 weeks to come.

[@taradoyle7902]

Tip 18: Overnight, store your pack in an air tight dry bag or tied off garbage bag so they can't get in. Then store that dry bag in its own dry bag/ ziplock when you've packed it up so they don't spread through your bag. Tip 19: Practice good "Infection control". Pack your sleeping clothes, bedding and anything you take to bed with you in separate ziplock bags/ air tight dry bags away from all your other clothes etc If you have been bitten and only these items have been exposed, you need only heat treat those items. Saves time (and sanity). I had a dry bag for my sleeping clothes and bedding and one for my pack, which would go in with those too. I still got BBs but it was easier to de bug (so to speak). From someone who knows ;)

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

LOL, love the de-dug tips!

[@maggiedoor6093]

What some people never consider is , how many people left their homes bringing the bedbugs to the camino!! They could have also picked them up at hotels prior to walking even relatives or friends homes. What about kids sleep overs too?.When I am on a bus, train or a plane I often wonder what bugs are left behind.

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

I used to do a 5 hour public transport trip taking my son's to juggling groups in Melbourne. Never got bedbugs, but gee we saw some weird things people do. Yes, they do say they are in hotels too. Luckily never spotted them there either. I may just be lucky.

[@nataschajudson7509]

Very helpful information. Thanks!

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Very pleased to help. I was supposed to be on my second Camino right now, but health jumped in the way at the critical moment. Maybe 2023. When are you going?

[@nataschajudson7509]

@@MikeOnTheCamino I hope you get better soon! May God strengthen you day by day. God willing, I plan to walk the Camino in January.

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

A winter Camino cool - ahhh accidental pun.

[@markpreston6676]

I'll actually be carrying a commercial-size freezer that goes to -20c in my mochilla. Ortros peregrinos, mi commercial freezer es tu commercial freezer. Buen Camino!

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

They are bit heacy, so I am going to get one freeze dried for my next Camino - just add water!

[@StepsbyKaatje]

I like the soap and silk liner! Great tips! I plan the Camino in september, so I guess that means your first tip won't work... 😉 All the best. Kaat

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Always better to be later in the season on Camino than sitting at home watching netflix!

[@kgaletin]

Great video! Would you recommend carrying a black garbage bag to store your backpack in when in the alburges?

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

We did not, however I had everything in smaller nylon bags inside. I just used eucy and tea tree oil around my pack too. A garbage bag is light, so no harm in using it. It's all about adding barriers. No one plan is perfect, I just hoped other peoples equipment was an easier target than mine.

[@karenharway5142]

Mike, what about using a silk fitted twin sheet over the mattress and placing the backpack in a tightly closed silk pillow case?

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Great idea, however it is not like playing 'the floor is lava' when we were kids. Bugs can walk over it. It's more like a concrete analogy. You can walk over concrete, but you can't walk through concrete. The backpack is less of a target as it does not breathe. A plastic bag would work and would be lighter for the pack (not you). I never did nag my pack and had no problems. A silk pillow case might be too small or might be heavier than a whole second silk sleeping bag liner. They are really thin and light. From a weight perspective, sleeping bag liner and a garbage bag for the pack should do. Is there a reason to avoid a silk sleeping bag liner? They come in different sizes if you are worried about feeling wrapped up.

[@karenharway5142]

@@MikeOnTheCamino Good points! I could not find a silk liner with a zipper which is important to me because I’m 64 and can’t see myself wiggling in and out of the liner two times a night when I get up to use the bathroom! I found a polyester liner with a nice zipper down the side and along the bottom. First Camino is in six weeks-April and hopefully the little buggers will have a slow start at the beginning of the season. Thank you!

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

@@karenharway5142 Wear silk pj's and you will slide out in an instant! Actually one Albergue we stayed at charged extra for disposable sheets, so we tried without. So slippery. At 2am my sleeping son fell off the top bunk and landed upright in his sleep between very close bunks. Amazing. Maybe go to a camping shop and try it out instore. They come in different sizes too so maybe a more baggy one is easier to get in and out of. The zipper would not work as bugs can get in through the zipper gaps too.

[@Kakapo-Tui]

what about merino thermals and socks etc? the shop says to only wash in cold water.

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Socks is a topic I'm thinking of covering. It's very personal. Merino makes my feet sweat. I go 2 pairs of thin nylon 'coolmax' types. Wicks moisture nicely and they quick dry. BUT! It's very personal, so get both at home and smash some kms and see what your feet prefer.

[@marythereserenner1329]

Great information, we had bedbugs in 2014. Love the jokes.

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Thanks for the feedback. What months did you walk in? I love a good laugh too.

[@marythereserenner1329]

@@MikeOnTheCamino We walked the Frances September 5th to October 10th 2014. We are going again September 2023. The Camino Frances for sure and maybe the Camino Porto.

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

I have another son who I was hoping to be taking this year, but the past 2 years have messed travel plans in the foreseeable future.

[@Emy53]

That's my number 1 fear. I have a bug phobia. Will a hot steam iron kill them? That's the only reason why I might not do this journey. What about the better hotels? Do they have issues with bedbugs? All your recommendations are great, but they will not stop my phobia.

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

I'm actually nearly finishing the Camino again as I am typing this reply. I have not encountered bedbugs at all on this trip, and I have been staying in private Albergues, I have only heard of one Albergue that had the and chatter amongst the pilgrims was quite strong about it, also checking the reviews on several Camino apps, will often let you know if a place has bedbugs. When I check in I always look under the mattresses for black spots and check around the corners by the floor for anything under the ordinary. I also spray my bed and sleeping equipment with a couple of squirts of eucalyptus and tea tree oil mix each night so if there are any they will avoid me. As I am traveling at the tail end of summer I am far more likely to encounter them, but so far all has been great. You sound smart and aware of the issues I think you would be fine to manage and look after it all by yourself.

[@paulinakoopen1754]

Dad jokes. They’re Dad jokes. 😉

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Yeah it's really hard trying to write an upbeat, sprinkled with comedy video on this topic without jumping into those Dad jokes.

[@Emma-wy5pd]

But did you have bed bugs on your camino or you just made a video about them ? 😣 With my husband we are leaving for our first camino ( frances ) in two weeks ☺️

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Lol, I avoided them completely. BUT it was often in the back of my mind. Enjoy your Camino, watch my one on Orisson too.

[@Emma-wy5pd]

@@MikeOnTheCamino ahah! ok thank you ! 😊 I watched the one in Orisson , after thinking a lot we have decided to take the road of Valcarlos to Roncisvalle so we will make it in one day ☺️

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Emma, that's a great idea. You can of course still break that into 2 days if you wish to make it a softer start.

[@Emma-wy5pd]

@@MikeOnTheCamino 😊👍🏻

[@peregrinusjacobaeus]

👍🌺

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

Thanks!

[@tdb762000]

I am looking at doing the Camino next year but had no idea this was a problem. Can I ask how much of it is a problem? Am I guaranteed to come in to contact with them at some stage of the trail? Any advice would be great. Thank you :)

[@MikeOnTheCamino]

I have just gotten back from my second Camino (last week). So I have done a June and a September Camino. In June did not even hear of it until Santiago (the end). In September, I found people who had them, and word on the trail let folks know about a few albergues that had them, some folks I walked with even had bite marks (they last for weeks on some people), but I never saw them again. I will be doing an update to this video at some stage with more info from my last Camino, so make sure to subscribe so you don't miss them.