{"id":3586,"date":"2015-09-23T21:31:40","date_gmt":"2015-09-23T21:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.leisuredays.co.uk\/news\/?p=3586"},"modified":"2021-11-02T11:15:59","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T11:15:59","slug":"theres-a-rat-in-the-kitchen-what-am-i-gonna-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leisuredays.co.uk\/news\/theres-a-rat-in-the-kitchen-what-am-i-gonna-do-3586\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep mice and rats out of your static caravan"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a rat in the kitchen, what am I gonna do?!<\/h3>\n

From nibbled cushions, sofas and beds to mess on the carpets \u2013 the damage caused by a tiny mouse or other vermin can run into thousands of pounds!<\/p>\n

\"Mouse\"<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing worse than returning to your static caravan or holiday lodge for some well-earned rest and relaxation to find you\u2019ve had an unwelcome visitor who has wreaked havoc on your furnishings! Or worse still they\u2019ve left a terrible smell as they\u2019ve decided to outstay their welcome and make a nest in your sofa or mattress.<\/p>\n

Some of the little rascals may also decide to make a meal of your pipes leaving you in hot water \u2013 or maybe no water!<\/p>\n

Here at Leisuredays we saw claims for damage caused by the dreaded vermin increase by 171% last year, compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n

The advice is simple\u2026\u00a0prevention is definitely better than cure!<\/strong> It’s important to take measures to keep mice and rats out of your static caravan<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve teamed up with Willerby Holiday Homes and Lowther Holiday Park manager, Alan Stevenson, to give you some vermin-busting tips on keeping out those little squeakers.<\/p>\n

Set in woodland in beautiful Penrith, Cumbria, Lowther Holiday Park try to pre-empt any problems for their static caravan and lodge owners by employing a pest control company to put down humane traps each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrevention is definitely better than cure,\u201d said Alan. \u201cWe try to control rats by putting down bait in sealed boxes. To prevent mice getting into holiday caravans I\u2019d suggest making sure all vents are meshed because they can get through the tiniest of holes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chloe Lawford from Willerby told us, “All vents are meshed here at Willerby Holiday Homes during production. Gas regulations state that you should never block any Ventilation holes.”<\/p>\n

\"Static<\/p>\n

Looking at our insurance claims for damage caused by mice, although very little, it seems that some have taken the liberty of bringing along their friends to the party and infested the holiday home.<\/p>\n

In one claim rodents caused more than \u00a35,000 of damage in just seven days, after getting in through the toilet waste pipe and chewing curtains, the mattress and air vents! The clean-up process and repairs can be quite costly.<\/p>\n

Better manufacturing methods are helping to keep mice and rats out of your static caravan or holiday lodge, but it\u2019s worth making sure you\u2019ve taken those extra steps to stave away those unwanted pests.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning on leaving your static caravan or holiday lodge for a few months \u2013 or even a few weeks \u2013 taking some simple pest control measures can make it all the more resistant to vermin.<\/p>\n

Our top tips to keep mice and rats out of your static caravan or holiday lodge<\/h3>\n