Controlling Vermin Around your Park Home
Controlling vermin around your park home might not be the most pleasant subject, but it’s one that every park home-owner should take seriously. Whether you’ve been living in your park home for years or you’re new to the lifestyle, dealing with unwanted pests like rats, mice and squirrels is something you’ll want to avoid. Thankfully, with a few preventative measures and good habits, controlling vermin around your park home can be straightforward and stress-free.
Why vermin are attracted to park homes
Park homes offer warmth, shelter, and sometimes easy access to food – all things that attract vermin. During colder months, pests and rodents in particular, will look for ways to get indoors. Once in, they can cause extensive damage by chewing through insulation, pipes, or even electrical wiring. Aside from the damage, they’re unhygienic and can pose health risks, especially if droppings or urine contaminate your living space.
Preventing vermin from entering your park home
One of the most effective steps you can take in vermin prevention is stopping them from getting into your park home in the first place. Walk around the exterior and carefully check for potential entry points. Mice can squeeze through a gap as small as a 5p coin, so don’t dismiss even the tiniest holes.
Use rodent-proof materials to seal any gaps — wire wool, steel mesh and weather-resistant sealants work well. Pay special attention to areas around pipes, vents, under doors, and beneath your skirting. If you have storage spaces under your park home, make sure they’re well sealed and not offering easy access.
Maintain a clean and tidy park home
One of the simplest ways to keep rodents away from your park home is by maintaining good hygiene, both inside and out. Avoid leaving food out overnight, and keep surfaces clean and free from crumbs. Store all food – including pet food – in airtight containers.
When it comes to waste, ensure bins are sealed with tight-fitting lids and emptied regularly. Overflowing or open bins can quickly become an invitation to local wildlife. If you compost, place your heap well away from your home and avoid adding cooked food, which can attract vermin.
Tidy outdoor areas
Rodents love clutter. If your garden or the area around your park home is overgrown or messy, it becomes a haven for pests. Keep grass trimmed, bushes pruned, and avoid stacking logs, rubbish, or old furniture near your home. These kinds of hiding spots give rats and mice the perfect base from which to explore further.
Also consider the placement of bird feeders. While feeding birds is a lovely way to connect with nature, fallen seeds can easily attract vermin. Use feeders with trays to catch droppings and clean up regularly beneath them.
Signs of a vermin problem
Despite your best efforts, vermin may still find a way in. It’s important to recognise the early signs of an infestation so you can deal with it quickly. Common indicators include:
- Small droppings (often in kitchen cupboards or behind appliances)
- Scratching noises, especially at night
- Chewed packaging or materials
- Nests made from shredded paper or fabric
- A strong, musky odour
Act quickly if you spot any of these signs. The sooner you intervene, the easier the problem is to manage.
DIY pest control vs professional help
Traps and bait stations can help if you suspect a minor problem, but they must be used responsibly, especially around pets or children. For more serious infestations, or if you’re unsure, it’s wise to call a professional pest control service with experience in pest control for park homes.
You should also alert your residential park manager or site warden if you suspect a wider issue — especially if other homes nearby are affected. A community-wide response is often more effective than trying to solve the issue in isolation.
Park home insurance and vermin damage
At Park Home Assist, we know how important it is to protect your home from all kinds of threats — including those with fur and whiskers. While some insurance policies do not cover vermin-related damage, having proof of regular maintenance and vermin prevention steps could make a difference if you ever need to make a claim.
That’s why we recommend reviewing your policy carefully and keeping a record of pest control efforts — whether that’s sealing up entry points, hiring a professional, or logging any reports to your site manager.
As part of our park homes’ standard buildings insurance we offer cover for damage to your buildings caused by vermin. This is up to the value of £5,000 for any single period of insurance as long as your park home is occupied.
In addition, our park home emergency cover, offers cover for the removal of a pest infestation by professionals, from your park home.
Final thoughts
Your park home should be a safe and comfortable retreat. Keeping it that way means being proactive about pests. By focusing on controlling vermin around your park home, maintaining cleanliness, and responding quickly to any signs of activity, you can reduce the risk of infestations and avoid unnecessary stress.
Remember, a few simple habits can go a long way in protecting your investment and preserving your peace of mind. And if you do have home emergency cover, then a swift and effective solution to a vermin infestation is only a phone call away.
If you have any questions about your park home insurance or cover for vermin damage, then the team at Park Home Assist is always here to help. Call us on 01604 946796.
Please note that all insurance cover is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions.
This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of park home insurance, mobile home insurance, insurance for static caravans, insurance for holiday homes and holiday lodges, as well as boat insurance and touring caravan insurance. If you have any questions about your insurance, then please call our office on 01604 946 796 and one of our insurance advisers will be happy to help.
Published – 20/06/25
