Another hint for keeping vermion free - move things about frequently. Mme Souris decided that the area we used under the camper (for bags that had had poles/canvas etc) was the ideal spot for a new home. We now ensure there's nothing on the ground which could be hospitable.
We had more problems with ants and wasps - but we must have had an effect - each successive year there have been fewer of the little blighters to get rid of. (Been to same site and same pitch for 5 years)
Never experienced rats in 30 years of camping. You will rather experience them in town as the older sewage networks an rainwater networks are ideal infrastucture for them. In nature however one won't really meet them and number are far less than in town! Only once or twice I experienced mice, but never in the tent, only underneath, actually in the Jura/Pre-Alps. No problem. at Wgotsky: as to snakes, I never met them on or near campsites, but I did once or twice on some mountain-walks, the first hours warming up after a few rainy days, fleeing away fast from me. Never in nice warm outdoor weather! They prefer quiet places. Moreover they will not be on places where you expect them. Only a few years ago I learned to my big surprise that the river Somme is a vipers paradise, but when there I never got the chance to see a single one!!. They are gone too fast and don't like people and they do not specifically settle at river shores. So don't worry and camp along.. Hedgehogs are well known mouse-hunters.
If you,ve got EHU what about one off them devices that you see advertised that are supposed to deter mice etc, might put your mind at rest, though i have to say i've never seen a mouse . Camped on top off earwig nest once which wasn't nice , also woke up to find the whole place covered in ants ,but thats the worst it,s got for us
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Quote: Originally posted by munglie on 26/2/2007I have a real fear of mice and even worse still rats.
This year will be our first camping holiday and I am worried about rats.
I have just read in a review about a site where somebody said nice site if you don't mind water rats and now I'm terrifies as the site we are looking at (Le Brevedent in Normandy) has a lake.
Has anybody had any rat/mice experiences?
Lindsay
I would venture to suggest that the "water rats" referred to here are more likely to be water voles which are often mistaken for water rats but who have entirely different needs and habits.
As a previous poster said, stay away from static water areas ie ponds and lakes etc.We've stayed by fast moving rivers in both France and the UK without any probs. and my wife is one who is highly allergic to midge bites etc.
Can't help you where mice are concerned except to say that those around a campsite are probably field mice, dormice and tiny little field voles which are probably a damned more scared of you than you are of them!
Not scared of snakes...but husband quite likes the idea of a mongoose as a family pet!
Thanks for all the advice.... You have put my mind at rest!
Munglie
Both commensal rodents and wild animals in general are very afraid of humans, you shouldn't worry that much. Just make sure to store your food properly: this is a general advice to keep away insects, squirrels, mice, etc... I have seen rats in irrigation rivers (running very fast for their way) but no sir I've never seen any around lakes, and I did see some lakes in my life. If I was you, I'd be a lot more concerned about mosquitos
We've not seen rats in either Uk, France or Belgium BUT my car did get eaten by some kind of animal whilst camping by a river, in a forest in Belgium! I couldn't work out what the garage man was trying to tell me it was but apparently it's quite common in forest/river areas and they are attracted to the recycled hoses that most cars now have!!
Some kind of vole I'd imagine?
------------- Piglet
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