Winterizing

[daycaremom64]

We are new to boat ownership. What is the best way to keep rodants and such out of the cabin and engine area?

 

[rcknecht]

Shrink wrap...

 

[Weave]

We have used dryer sheets around the boat and in the engine bay and have had success without shrink wrapping stored in a barn

 

[Smile Maker]

cats

 

[ross91]

I use the dryer sheet method, as well as making tin foil bowls and putting a layer of moth crystals in the bowl. I place them around the boat in various places

 

[83searay]

Get a gun.

 

[Groucho]

Store it next to a Chinese restaurant.

 

[duckmnn]

D-con even if you have a few dead mice to clean up.Its better that replacing seats or cushions.

 

[Woody]

Clean the interior of the boat thoroughly, vacuum carpeting, etc. You don't want to leave anything for them to eat or makes your boat smell tasty. Don't leave piles of bedding, clothes in your boat, this makes cozy mice houses. I place moth balls around in the boat cockpit and cabin after cleaning. So far I haven't had mice in the boat. I'm sure the D-con approach works but you never know how many mice corpses are rotting away in the hidden recesses of your boat so I try not to attract them in to start with.

 

[Tonka Boater]

Clean the interior of the boat thoroughly, vacuum carpeting, etc. You don't want to leave anything for them to eat or makes your boat smell tasty. Don't leave piles of bedding, clothes in your boat, this makes cozy mice houses. I place moth balls around in the boat cockpit and cabin after cleaning. So far I haven't had mice in the boat. I'm sure the D-con approach works but you never know how many mice corpses are rotting away in the hidden recesses of your boat so I try not to attract them in to start with.

I agree although I hate moth balls. You're best defense is to remove anything that attracts them so moth balls won't be necessary. They will go wherever there is food and shelter and if you have neither, they will have no interest. When I say no shelter, I mean take out all cushions and leave only hard surfaces. If you store your boat in a shed with other boats the mice and other rodents will go to the boat that has the most to offer.

 

[sbw1]

Best bet is to store in a clean well built building. We have never had an issue. Even if there are mice in the building I don't see how they could come aboard as the boat is bunked and the swim platform is 5' off the ground and the ceiling is maybe 15' above the boat and has nothing for mice to crawl on.

 

[JVM225]

I haven't had a problem yet.