Pest Control on Your Boat
Owning a boat means you have access to the open water whenever you want! Take pleasure cruises, go fishing or tow watersports users with ease. When your craft isn’t in use, you’ll either dock it at the marina or stash it at home. But when you come back to your boat after a few weeks or months (and particularly after a long winter), you might be faced with an unappealing issue: pests!
Bugs, rats, mice, birds, and even some sea mammals can be a real problem for boat owners no matter where you’re located. You can find yourself dealing with torn seating, chewed plastic or wood, messy nests, and filthy animal droppings. It can devalue your boat and make it a real trial to get it back into good shape. Plus, it can really scare you when you lift up the cover to find a ton of creepy-crawlies infesting your beloved vessel!
So how do you prevent this common issue? This guide to marine pest control comes to you courtesy of the staff here at Andersen Boat, serving Burnt Hills. We’re proud to be your premier New York boat dealer and we want you to get the most out of your craft. Follow these tips to prevent damage from occurring at the hands of Mother Nature.
Clean Before Storage
One common mistake that owners make when leaving their crafts for the winter is a result of laziness. You simply forget to clean things up! Take the time to go through your vessel and pick up trash and recycling, remove all food, and take out any equipment. Leaving tarps or towels can provide animals with a place to nest, and leaving food or wrappers will draw them in with the smell. If you’ve cooked on your craft, remove your grill and clean up any spills. Get everything properly stowed away, leave your vessel pristine, and you’re much less likely to find bugs or mice later on.
Try Scented Deterrents
Most animals and insects are sensitive to certain aromas. Try mixing ammonia and cayenne pepper in a spray bottle and rub this along the edges of your boat to ward off otters and other creatures. Make sure to wear gloves and goggles while dealing with this caustic substance and don’t forget to clean it off in the spring so no one touches it! Repeat the application of this mixture every month to obtain the best results.
Mothballs, with their strong scent, can be used to deter animals other than moths. Hang them up in tubes or stow them in compartments to ward off pests. Scented dryer sheets or bar soaps can also send animals scurrying, as well as ensure that your boat will smell great after you’ve left some Irish Spring in there for a few months!
Keep It Covered & Secure
Many boat owners make the mistake of leaving their vessels uncovered and exposed. A tight-fitting cover leaves little room for animals to creep inside and make their boat your home. If your canvas cover has gaps or holes, then you’re pretty much guaranteed an invasion. Try storing your boat indoors if at all possible. An indoor boat storage facility or your locked garage will prevent many animals from seeking entrance as opposed to leaving your vessel out in the open.
We hope this guide helps you keep your boat clean and pest-free! Still don’t have the craft of your dreams? Visit our dealership in Burnt Hills today to check out our current selection of new and used boats for sale. We have financing options to help you get the boat you want. Andersen Boat also proudly serves the cities of Saratoga Springs and Schenectady, New York.