Vera hut bed bugs

[stu]

Just a word of warning to those visiting Vera hut in the Frenchmans Cap region; the bunk beds seem to be a hive of activity from the resident bed bugs.

I have stayed at this hut several times over the past 4 or 5 years, but my last 2 visits, October 2012 and Queens Birthday long weekend this year have left me never wanting to stay here again. On both occasions I slept on the same bunk, same location and was eaten alive, coming home with dozens of bites on my arms and back. First time I thought it was mosquitos but my recent visit and confirmation from a guide friend who had the same problem answers the question. Funnily enough I seem to suffer worse than my walking buddies who seem to have come out unscathed on the recent visits; could come down to bunk location or maybe I'm just more sensitive.

Being that this is a communal hut used by people from all over the world and therefore similar to any dirty hostel you might find anywhere the presence of bed bugs isn't all that surprising.

Just putting this out there as a warning to others and maybe Parks could take notice of this as they do have a duty of care to provide a relatively clean and pest free environment for what will be an ever increasing number of visitors.

My next visit there I'll be happy to use the hut for cooking etc but will be sleeping in my tent. I have just spent all this week cleaning every piece of gear, particularly down sleeping bag and jacket as well as treating dozens of bite wounds - never again

[kalium]

Cheers for the heads up. I'll be there in about 3 weeks. I'll keep an eye out, and perhaps bivi it outside...

[tigercat]

No problems March 2012

[tastrax]

Stu,

Could I ask you to pass on the specifics of the issue to the staff at Queenstown Office.

Queenstown Field Centre

PO Box 21
Queenstown TAS 7467
Phone: 03 6471 2511
Fax: 03 6471 1963
Email: PWS.Westcoast@parks.tas.gov.au

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=7710

[lindsey]

Thanks for tip- off there next week, wondering if others have had a similar experience?

[corvus]

Had the same problem at WFV hut a few years back which was corrected by parks using Bug Bombs so it wont be hard to correct I believe.
I also think some of us are more prone to attack from insects ,the bed bugs at WFV did not bother me but my son got plenty of bites also with Mozzies both my son and wife get bitten regularly and I miss out
corvus

[biggbird]

Thanks for the heads up Stu, hoping to head up there this weekend, and though we were never planning to stay at Vera, nice to know that we REALLY should push on

[cameron]

I had the same thing with bed bugs at Vera hut a couple of months back. I coped a few bites but my aunty got hammered and was covered in bites for weeks after.
i'll be in the tent next time or bypass for Tahune hut.

[doogs]

Thanks for the heads up Stu, hoping to head up there this weekend, and though we were never planning to stay at Vera, nice to know that we REALLY should push on

Looks like it's going to be busy up that way this week!! I am heading in for a post exams jaunt this week too

[biggbird]

Thanks for the heads up Stu, hoping to head up there this weekend, and though we were never planning to stay at Vera, nice to know that we REALLY should push on

Looks like it's going to be busy up that way this week!! I am heading in for a post exams jaunt this week too

See you there? When you headed in?

This will be my first time! (Not in that way, disgusting people) Walk into Tahune on the Sat +/- get up there for sunset, depending on how long we take, then pretty much straight out again on the Sun. Disappointing to not be able to stay longer, but that's what you get for being at uni/having a GF who works I guess!

[Strider]

That is a decent days walking heading straight for Tahune. How long is it into Vera these days on the new track?

[stu]

4.5 hours to Vera at a fairly steady pace, 4 on the way out.

[Strider]

That's good going!

[ILUVSWTAS]

4.5 hours to Vera at a fairly steady pace, 4 on the way out.

Thats for us Stu...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thanks for the heads up Stu, hoping to head up there this weekend, and though we were never planning to stay at Vera, nice to know that we REALLY should push on

Looks like it's going to be busy up that way this week!! I am heading in for a post exams jaunt this week too

Yep, all because of the new track.... and from what i have been told, there was no estimation that the area would get more traffic, so no plans to allow for this..... re-think time maybe????

[biggbird]

For what it's worth, we would have been going anyway, new track or old, so certainly not a factor for us. Kinda sad actually, seems I missed a classic!

[biggbird]

That is a decent days walking heading straight for Tahune. How long is it into Vera these days on the new track?

We'd probably be leaving around 6:30-7 in the morning hopefully, having camped the night before in the carpark or something. We're not Stu and co, so figuring around 10-12 hours all up. We will have headtorches of course, and we can always sleep at Vera in a tent if necessary!

Unfortunately due to time constraints we can't spend more than two days, but we'll have a go! If we don't make it all the way, so be it, still nice to get out and stretch the legs!

[Strider]

That is a decent days walking heading straight for Tahune. How long is it into Vera these days on the new track?

We'd probably be leaving around 6:30-7 in the morning hopefully, having camped the night before in the carpark or something. We're not Stu and co, so figuring around 10-12 hours all up. We will have headtorches of course, and we can always sleep at Vera in a tent if necessary!

Unfortunately due to time constraints we can't spend more than two days, but we'll have a go! If we don't make it all the way, so be it, still nice to get out and stretch the legs!

You might as well add another 2 hours to the trip and go to the summit!

[Nuts]

That's good going!

Not if you take the trusty superman cape

[doogs]

Thanks for the heads up Stu, hoping to head up there this weekend, and though we were never planning to stay at Vera, nice to know that we REALLY should push on

Looks like it's going to be busy up that way this week!! I am heading in for a post exams jaunt this week too

See you there? When you headed in?

This will be my first time! (Not in that way, disgusting people) Walk into Tahune on the Sat +/- get up there for sunset, depending on how long we take, then pretty much straight out again on the Sun. Disappointing to not be able to stay longer, but that's what you get for being at uni/having a GF who works I guess!

Guess I'll probably miss you folks. I'm either heading in late tomorrow night or early Wednesday and back out on Friday.

Not if you take the trusty superman cape

But if you do bump into me, I'll be the bloke wearing his undies over his trousers

[Taurë-rana]

4.5 hours to Vera at a fairly steady pace, 4 on the way out.

Good grief, there goes the neighbourhood!

[lindsey]

No bed bugs but me last week

[lindsey]

That should be. No bed bugs BIT me

[Tortoise]

hi Lindsey. Thought you had a really strong Kiwi accent... (actually, i'm jealous that i still haven't got there, bed bugs or no)

[biggbird]

Well, we made it to the top this morning! About 4.5 hours in to Vera, and about 3.5 from Vera to Tahune, for those interested. 8.5 hours all up, with half an hour for lunch at Vera on Saturday. Made it out again in about 7.5 from Tahune.

Asked a couple of groups who stayed at Vera, who suggested no bed bugs. Perhaps you're just extra tasty Stu

[Onestepmore]

Lol. Advice from a vet. Use Frontline (fipronil)?
In France it's a recognized treatment for body lice in homeless people. Useful for (off label of course ) head lice in kids (you didn't hear that from me). Why not bed bugs?

[aamccoy]

***Update as of November 2015***

I have recently returned from Frenchmans Cap where we spent 2 nights in Lake Vera hut (9th & 11th). I can confirm that this hut continues to be infested with bed bugs. It seems that PWS conduct regular bombing with pemethrin based products, indeed as we were walking out we met ranger Terry on his way to Vera to do exactly that. Upon seeking professional advice for treatment of our hiking gear we were informed that using the domestic bug bombs as PWS does only kills some of the adults and does not kill the babies or eggs so it is likely that this infestation will continue unfortunately. If you are planning a stop over at Lake Vera I would highly recommend staying in your tent until PWS can get a definitive solution to the bed bug problem, which woukd probably mean flying in an exterminator multiple times in order to eliminate the bugs at all stages of their life cycle ($$$ a costly exercise!!!) Also, if you have recently done the walk and stayed in Lake Vera hut I would recommend fumagating your gear before bringing it into your home or else you run the risk of introducing them to your house.

Anyhow, bed bugs aside Lake Vera is a great hut and the Frenchmans Cap walk absolutely stunning. I highly recommend it, just be sure you don't accidentally bring home any unwanted souvenirs.

Happy hiking!

[tigercat]

I have stayed in Vera hut each year for the past 3. never had a problem with bedbugs either in the hut or at home afterwards

[Azza]

When Stu got bitten years ago he slept in the corner closest to the door.
No one else got bitten...

We've stayed there several times in the last few years and no issues.. just that one incident. I guess they're a bit localised??

[GPSGuided]

Introduce cockroaches to biologically eliminate those bed bugs, then use a cockroach bomb to eliminate the roaches. Problem fixed. At least cockroaches don't bite my butt.