Boats are the perfect way to make the most of a gorgeous day or make a good living, so it’s worth your time to protect them however you’re able. One of the biggest issues comes from the smallest animals—pests like spiders, rodents, birds, raccoons, and even sea creatures can infest your boat and damage its systems. We here at RVs and Boats For Less want to help you protect your investment, so we’ve put together some tips for preventing and dealing with pests on your boat below. To learn more, or to see the boats and boating accessories we have for sale, contact our store in Chubbuck, Idaho, today!
Cleaning
One of the surest ways to start a pest infestation is to leave food and food debris on your boat. Whether you cook onboard, caught some fish, or just brought some snacks, make sure none of it gets left behind. Even just the smell of food can attract animals. On a similar note, avoid feeding any animals that come nearby. Seagulls, for instance, may peg your boat as a reliable source of food and will go looking for it.
You should also avoid leaving piles of material that animals could nest in, such as trach, leaves, nets, or sails.
Scented Deterrents
Strong non-food odors can deter animals and insects, so making your boat smell bad to them is one way to keep it pest-free. For example, you could mix ammonia with cayenne pepper and rub or spray it around the edges of your boat to deter mammals. Just remember to wear gloves and eye protect while doing so.
Alternatively, mothballs have a powerful scent that drives off more than just moths. Hang them from tubs or in sheets of fabric around the edges of your boat to keep anything from setting up shop. Dryer sheets and heavily scented soaps can also contribute to the effect and won’t smell quite so awful.
Covers and Storage
A well-fitted boat cover can help provide a physical barrier to pests and is incredibly important if you store it outside for any length of time. Just make sure to seal up any gaps and openings that it doesn’t cover—otherwise, all you’ve done is build a shelter with some neat doorways.
And of course, if your boat is going unused for a while, the best possible way to keep it pest-free is with secure, indoor storage. There are storage facilities that provide climate-controlled storage space, and these are typically good at keeping away the critters.
We hope this guide helps you keep your boat free of unwanted tenants! For more information, or to see the boats and boat accessories we have in stock, contact us at RVs and Boats For Less. We proudly serve the people of Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Idaho—let us serve you today!
