Vents

There should be a gauze fly screen inside the outer cover on your fridge vents. Every caravan we have owned has had them! If it is a new caravan under warranty talk to the dealer who sold you it.

If you bought it second hand they must have been removed at some time and  you need to find the fridge model number so you can obtain replacements from a dealer or on the internet sales sites.

Have you thought about fridge vents covers which are available for Dometic and Thetford fridges? They would certainly reduce the area for flies to get in.  However this would only be a solution whilst the van is in storage at least in the main touring season. 

David

Thanks ForestR. We bought the caravan second hand and its a 2003 and has no gauze in the vents, So may need to add some gauze to them.

Thanks David will look on those sites and get covers for the vents whilst in storage.

Just been looking at this issue on other forums and it would appear that some caravans have not been fitted with fridge vent fly screens in recent years but can be bought as an optional extra. Obviously we have been lucky to always have them.

Thats Great thanks for the info

I thought a correct installation of the fridge is sealed from the interior of the caravan, therefore flies should not have access to the inside of the caravan through them.

Maybe dependent upon age of van Anyway, winter covers should sort the fridge vents but there are other vents that might allow access.

Hi DaveFL2.

The flies arent coming through the fridge, Luckily. They are coming through the vents on th side of the van and then making thier way in to the cupboards.

But Dave is saying that the back of the fridge should be sealed from the interior of the caravan ie if there was a combustion issue running on gas, any gasses at the back of the fridge should be vented outside ...and not find their way inside.

Can you be sure the flies are entering via the fridge vents, Kitchy? There's generally plenty of room around the hab door, for instance, for them to find a way in. If mice can get in beside water pipes, it'll be no trouble for flies. 

Fly problems are often caused by the flies laying their eggs in the van. Then, when you leave it shut up, they hatch and wait to greet you on your return. 

By the way, farmland in Cornwall is good, not unfortunate. It helps make the county what it is for visitors to enjoy. 

A look in the Fridge manufacturers installation / user guide paperwork will allow you to know there should be a sealed aluminium sheet all the way around the rear of the fridge, sealing the area between side wall and fridge. It is a unfortunate fact that many manufacturers just don't bother fitting these. ( Pointed out to me by a friend in the trade ) many have complained of draughts around the fridge this is the same problem. I advise anyone purchasing a new 'van to turn the thumb screws and check if the fridge is correctly fitted, if not walk away.