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Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL | Just wondering what everyone does to keep mice or any other critters out of their boats during the winter storage months. I plan to remove just about everything that's not bolted down (not batteries) and put the cover on it. I have a dealership that will keep it inside an adjacent un-heated building for me. New boat, so it's a one year no pay perk..
What I don't know is if I should add dryer sheets, moth balls or any other deterrent's to help keep the boat from becoming a winter dwelling for a furry critter.
Not even close to doing this yet. Just thinking ahead. |
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Posts: 3472
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I used to just put dryer sheets in all compartments, drains, prop exhaust, etc. but one year, that was not enough.
I added more to my arsenal with moth balls under the cover, but continue to use dryer sheets in the compartments. I don't feel the moth ball smell is bad at winter's end either...a little airing out after the winter months and all is fine.
Where there are openings in the cover (around the outboard in the rear) I will put a bag of moth balls in the splashwell by the motor. This, along with about 2 - 3 other bags of them in the main open areas of the boat keep them out completely.
At winter's end, I throw the moth ball bags into my ice fishing flip over and all stays good there as well.
Steve
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Posts: 607
Location: Bloomington, MN | I've got Agnes on guard!
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Posts: 426
| I use the dryer sheets and moth balls as well plus I use the 5gal bucket/ anti freeze peanut butter on a can mouse trap as well. This set up has prevented any problems for years. I started the bucket trap after I had mice climb into the exhaust ports on my outboard one winter. They get in place that you never thought of. You can't be too protective IMO. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | They make nests out of dryer sheets around me. The other thing that is supposed to be so good is peppermint oil and balsam fir oil/extract, but they seem to really like those as well! I like the cat idea, other than all the hair., and the fact I keep my boat 200 miles from here  |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | I've had some success with a product called Cab Fresh. It isn't cheap, but it smells a heck of a lot better than mothballs. |
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Posts: 492
Location: midwest | A second recommendation for Fresh Cab. Works good and doesn't smell bad. |
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Posts: 48
Location: West Central Wisconsin | In addition to various scent items mentioned by others, since I store inside, I leave the cover off and all compartment doors open. I figure they're going to make their way in regardless how tight I button it up, I just try to reduce the places for the little buggers to hide and nest. |
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| When we had a seasonal cottage that was closed up for the winter, we bought a couple of those plug in devices that supposedly emit some sort of sound that vermin don't like. We had better results with that than anything else. I plug in a couple in the storage garage where I park my boat and my pontoon and have not had an issue so far. And I am surrounded by trees and brush with lots of critters. I do put dryer sheets in compartments as well. But in the cottage, the addition of the devices made a difference and we had used both moth balls and dryer sheets prior. |
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Posts: 1670
| I use Bounce dryer sheets. In the past I have also shaved Irish Spring bar soap onto small paper plates and spread around the boat. The biggest thing is to make sure you have ALL TRACES of food and snacks gone. They are looking to eat so don't give them a reason to stop at your boat.
I don't know if this actually works or if i'm just lucky. But, I would rather not find out. Those little bastards can get destructive.
Edited by Brian Hoffies 10/6/2019 8:38 AM
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Location: 31 | Clark A - 10/3/2019 3:48 PM
I've got Agnes on guard!
I would take Agnes fishing... too cute, very much reminds me of our DC cat.
I just use old fashion mouse poison and traps in the building I keep my boat, then a few of those sticky traps on the carpet in the boat.
Edited by Jerry Newman 10/14/2019 8:26 PM
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Posts: 1516
| I looked at Can fresh and the box said each packet good for 30 days. I need longer protection |
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Posts: 426
| Try the 5gal bucket peanut butter trap> IT WORKS and lasts all winter. |
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Posts: 1187
| Cat fur. If mice think there is a cat around, they steer clear. |
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