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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rats in eurocamp mobile

135 replies

bec81 · 10/08/2024 00:47

Help, I'm freaking out. We are staying in a eurocamp mobile home, campsite in Holland. Eurocamp has accommodation on site, but another company run the site, which is brilliant. We're on day 3. This afternoon and evening we have had a rat coming into the cupboard. When we saw the signs first (bread eaten in cupboard) we went to the eurocamp reception. We were told, tough sh*t that's camping, and that the campsite is full, they can't move us. They put in a plug in noise thing and left us to it. He has since been back, full on gnawing and clattering about in/around the same kitchen cupboard (which has been emptied out), mm from my 6 year olds sleeping head. I'm on high alert, staying in the kids room, I know I won't sleep a wink waiting for him to return. I can't stay here tomorrow. The kids will be devastated if we have to go home tomorrow, they've been absolutely loving it and have so many plans for the next week. What can we realistically do if they won't move us and we can't stay here? We don't have money to stay somewhere else and hope for eventual (probably unlikely) reimbursement.

OP posts:
Trallers · 10/08/2024 00:56

Is it coming in through the back of the cupboard? If so, could you leave something in there for it to nibble on (so isn't tempted to investigate the rest of the caravan) but duct tape it closed so it cant come out onto countertops etc? Maybe add a trap if you're brave? If there's no evidence it's been in other areas I would stay.

hazandduck · 10/08/2024 01:00

I’d already be out of there personally. I feel ill just reading it! Disgusting 😭

80schildhood · 10/08/2024 01:03

Nope. I have camped for 30 odd years ..stayed in tents, caravans, and latterly in eurocamp style mobile homes...I have never ever had any rodents share the space. Rats can be a health hazard so no I wouldn't stay (especially with kids) and I would be asking for a refund. Or I would be on twitter/insta/tiktok and tagging eurocamp about their rat problem.

moggiek · 10/08/2024 01:10

Copy your post and paste it as a comment on the Eurocamp FB page. Hopefully, that will stir some bugger on to sort it out for you! Absolutely shameful.

msbevvy · 10/08/2024 01:13

Have you actually seen the rat? On one of our camping trips we had an animal sneaking into our tent at night and eating our biscuits . It turned out to be a hedgehog.

Are the kids bothered about it? Our kids used to love watching mice when we were camping. They would go on nighttime searches for them in the bushes with torches.

Try not to get too freaked out by it if it is a rat. I know a lot of people don't like them but they are usually nothing to be afraid of. We had some lovely pet rats over the years. I cried my eyes out when a favourite.one had to be put to sleep.

How is it getting into the van? We had mice in our caravan that had gnawed their way through a vent in the bottom of a kitchen cupboard. If you can find the entry point you can probably put something heavy over it to block its way in.

I know you must be feeling anxious about it but try and get some sleep and don't let it ruin your holiday especially as the kids are having such fun. Some of our best holidays were on Dutch campsites when our kids were little.

Original poster
bec81 · 10/08/2024 01:15

Trallers · 10/08/2024 00:56

Is it coming in through the back of the cupboard? If so, could you leave something in there for it to nibble on (so isn't tempted to investigate the rest of the caravan) but duct tape it closed so it cant come out onto countertops etc? Maybe add a trap if you're brave? If there's no evidence it's been in other areas I would stay.

There's no way I can stay and listen to that. I was bawling crying tonight, I'm so afraid of them anyway, and add to it the fear of him being near the kids. I can't stay another night

OP posts:
Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 10/08/2024 01:16

hazandduck · 10/08/2024 01:00

I’d already be out of there personally. I feel ill just reading it! Disgusting 😭

Me too. Awful

Original poster
bec81 · 10/08/2024 01:19

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 10/08/2024 01:16

Me too. Awful

Show quote history

Me too, I'm terrified of them and disgusted by them in equal measure. I'm devastated for the kids. They are having the holiday of their lives, absolutely loving it and planning all their activities, there's so much to do here, they've barely broken the back of it.

OP posts:
Jesss21 · 10/08/2024 01:21

You need to become a nightmare customer. Plague them until they respond. This includes going to the office and publicly kicking up a fuss, phone calls and most importantly posting it on their facebook page, twitter etc. And keep posting, spam their pages. They need to be shamed into a response as they should be providing alternate accommodation for you if they cannot source it on site. I would not agree to a trap etc, it is a health hazard that they have even been in your space.

Original poster
bec81 · 10/08/2024 01:22

80schildhood · 10/08/2024 01:03

Nope. I have camped for 30 odd years ..stayed in tents, caravans, and latterly in eurocamp style mobile homes...I have never ever had any rodents share the space. Rats can be a health hazard so no I wouldn't stay (especially with kids) and I would be asking for a refund. Or I would be on twitter/insta/tiktok and tagging eurocamp about their rat problem.

Yea, I think this is our only option. But given how we were fobbed off by our concerns this evening, I don't expect much but way of a refund

OP posts:
fridaynight1 · 10/08/2024 01:22

Rats are vermin, you can't have your kids sharing a caravan with rats. You have no choice, you have to leave.

Original poster
bec81 · 10/08/2024 01:25

msbevvy · 10/08/2024 01:13

Have you actually seen the rat? On one of our camping trips we had an animal sneaking into our tent at night and eating our biscuits . It turned out to be a hedgehog.

Are the kids bothered about it? Our kids used to love watching mice when we were camping. They would go on nighttime searches for them in the bushes with torches.

Try not to get too freaked out by it if it is a rat. I know a lot of people don't like them but they are usually nothing to be afraid of. We had some lovely pet rats over the years. I cried my eyes out when a favourite.one had to be put to sleep.

How is it getting into the van? We had mice in our caravan that had gnawed their way through a vent in the bottom of a kitchen cupboard. If you can find the entry point you can probably put something heavy over it to block its way in.

I know you must be feeling anxious about it but try and get some sleep and don't let it ruin your holiday especially as the kids are having such fun. Some of our best holidays were on Dutch campsites when our kids were little.

I haven't seen him, no. But I've seen the previously sealed pack of burger buns that were half demolished, and heard the rummaging in the cupboard and gnawing of teeth.

The kids would be freaked out if they knew. We are most definitely not rat people and they would be very aware of the threat they pose in general.

OP posts:
houseofcards1 · 10/08/2024 01:25

We also saw a fair amount of rats on our eurocamp Netherlands trip.
To some extent, as the campsite was so rural, it wasn't surprising. But they were only outside on the porch rather than in the caravan itself.
We also saw them at a large park - possibly one of the cleanest places I've ever been too - which made me wonder if this is a location issue.

Sorry you're going through this OP

Original poster
bec81 · 10/08/2024 01:28

houseofcards1 · 10/08/2024 01:25

We also saw a fair amount of rats on our eurocamp Netherlands trip.
To some extent, as the campsite was so rural, it wasn't surprising. But they were only outside on the porch rather than in the caravan itself.
We also saw them at a large park - possibly one of the cleanest places I've ever been too - which made me wonder if this is a location issue.

Sorry you're going through this OP

I wouldn't like seeing them outside, but would be aware that it's likely that they are there and wouldn't have been surprised to see them.

But I'm terrified having them in our space

OP posts:
SwingTheMonkey · 10/08/2024 01:29

Kick up a fuss on social media op, preferably with photos of eaten food and gnawed entry points. I’d not be happy with this at all, I quite like domestic rats but wild ones can carry some pretty horrible diseases.

Original poster
bec81 · 10/08/2024 01:47

SwingTheMonkey · 10/08/2024 01:29

Kick up a fuss on social media op, preferably with photos of eaten food and gnawed entry points. I’d not be happy with this at all, I quite like domestic rats but wild ones can carry some pretty horrible diseases.

I'm not on social media, deleted all my accounts years ago. I'll reopen or open new ones tomorrow, but my posts may not have much clout without any followers. I'll tag eurocamp though

OP posts:
SwingTheMonkey · 10/08/2024 01:51

bec81 · 10/08/2024 01:47

I'm not on social media, deleted all my accounts years ago. I'll reopen or open new ones tomorrow, but my posts may not have much clout without any followers. I'll tag eurocamp though

Show quote history

I’m not sure it’ll make that much that much difference- you’ve got proof. They won’t want the negative attention. Get that rolling first thing in the morning. Also ask for the name and contact details of the Eurocamp area manager. If you have no joy with that, google eurocamps CEO and tweet them.

BossMadam · 10/08/2024 01:59

How did you book the holiday? Can you contact Eurocamp HQ in the UK first thing tomorrow and very forcefully tell them this is unacceptable and a health hazard and it needs sorting out immediately. Tell them you will be putting it on SM, and what you were told by the site, and seeing if the media pick up the story if you aren’t moved within an hour.

Whoever you spoke with at Reception is talking BS as no one would accept a rat being in their holiday accommodation, especially where they are sleeping! Did you speak to the most senior person? I bet they wouldn’t sleep in there.

In fact if there is an inside area open, like the reception area?, I’d decamp with pillows and blankets with DC to sleep on the chairs and tell everyone why you are there. Shout it from the rooftops in fact.

Kipperthedawg · 10/08/2024 02:07

I'd be concerned about weil's disease

passiveaggressivenonsense · 10/08/2024 02:34

There are rats everywhere. Go to a hardware shop and buy some poison and gaffa tape. Put poison in the cupboard where the buns were. Tape the cupboard shut and tell the kids not to touch it.
I know this is not ideal and I'd make a fuss with the camp owners but don't spoil your holiday. This is an opportunity to teach your kids not to be terrified of rats too.

Firefly1987 · 10/08/2024 03:10

If you've not seen it it could just be a mouse. Not great but a lot better than a rat! There will be droppings so you should be able to see if they are rat or mice droppings. I wouldn't bother myself over a mouse, a rat I would be out of there and telling them they're probably in violation of something and it's a health hazard etc.

dontstopmenowimhavingagoodtime · 10/08/2024 03:21

What a nightmare!

I'd be a lot firmer with reception etc, they must have emergency contingency plans for a unit becoming unusable?

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGG · 10/08/2024 03:47

Fuck that I’d be going home asap. I agree that you’ve got to be a nightmare customer to have a resolution sorted

StarlightLady · 10/08/2024 03:50

OP, who did you book the accommodation through? Did you pay by credit card? If so, on arrival or in advance?

LameBorzoi · 10/08/2024 03:57

Oh chill out, it's just a rat. It isn't the middle ages, it doesn't have bubonic plague. Get some steel wool and stuff it in any holes in the cupboard to keep it out. Keep any food in hard plastic containers in case it manages to get in.