Mice in the winter

[bradw1966]

Hi,

What is the best way to store a boat in a winter climate with snow and freezing temperatures? I have read a lot of advice that suggests covering the boat and then tipping it up and taking the plug out to allow drainage of any moisture accumulation.

It seems to me though that taking the plug out is just begging for mice to come in a chew the seats up.

Any comments or suggestions??

Thanks
Brad.

 

[mudmagnet63]

Re: Mice in the winter

Moth Balls will keep mice out place 4-5 at several places thruout the boat. I used to store mine in the hay barn using this method never a mouse problem

 

[bradw1966]

Re: Mice in the winter

thanks for the reply,

Do you recommend taking the plug out??

Brad.

 

[mudmagnet63]

Re: Mice in the winter

I always have and have never had a problem. Oh by the way if you cover the boat with the moth balls in it it smells kinda nasty for the first few hours best to pull cover a day before you get on the water

 

[MikDee]

Re: Mice in the winter

Well I thought I was being smart buying a custom made cockpit cover for my boat (for a good price), instead of having it shrink wrapped, and storing it at the marina for the winter. After all the cover was nice looking, and good for mooring also, But! When I finally took the cover off in the spring, I was shocked to see my upholstery shot! A possum had somehow gotten in, and destroyed it! The boat was full of foam, & bits of upholstery everywhere, what a nightmare! Apparently the rodent was nesting, & trying to stay warm. The worst part was finding his dead rotting remains It was then I figured out, that I should have put moth balls, or something in to keep the wildlife out! What a disaster to just clean up, and I added moth balls after to get rid of the stink, and knowing how much work I had ahead of me, nor the know how, or the cost, and not living close to the boat (120miles away), with the marina closing permanently in a short time, I sold the boat "as is" at a loss. I have had boats stored there for yrs previously, and never had a problem before. I wonder if there's even something stronger, or more longer lasting even then moth balls?

 

[burroak]

Re: Mice in the winter

Place Bounce fabric softener sheets in the boat and inside the motor cowl. They are very effective and smell better than moth balls.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mice in the winter

so far i only been useing decon......so far so good. mines just stored in my yard with a after market boat cover on it......scrape the snow off it all winter........plug out......

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: Mice in the winter

Place Bounce fabric softener sheets in the boat and inside the motor cowl. They are very effective and smell better than moth balls.

I second that. My father has done this for numerous years and no problems. Just don't double tarp your boat with a tarp with insulation (soft side). Then the mice will just stay in between the covers for a nest.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Mice in the winter

Well I thought I was being smart buying a custom made cockpit cover for my boat (for a good price), instead of having it shrink wrapped, and storing it at the marina for the winter. After all the cover was nice looking, and good for mooring also, But! When I finally took the cover off in the spring, I was shocked to see my upholstery shot! A possum had somehow gotten in, and destroyed it! The boat was full of foam, & bits of upholstery everywhere, what a nightmare! Apparently the rodent was nesting, & trying to stay warm. The worst part was finding his dead rotting remains It was then I figured out, that I should have put moth balls, or something in to keep the wildlife out! What a disaster to just clean up, and I added moth balls after to get rid of the stink, and knowing how much work I had ahead of me, nor the know how, or the cost, and not living close to the boat (120miles away), with the marina closing permanently in a short time, I sold the boat "as is" at a loss. I have had boats storedthere for yrs previously, and never had a problem before. I wonder if there's even something stronger, or more longer lasting even then moth balls?

I wonder if some how the opossum was in there when you covered it.
If there was no evidence of it getting in.
I believe the opossum is a marsupial not a rodent.(has a pouch for brooding the young)

 

[amynbill]

Re: Mice in the winter

I plan on finding a stray cat, and placing it in the boat before wrapping it up.
I will provide a large bag of dry food, a litter box, and a big bowl of water.

 

[Esox]

Re: Mice in the winter

This was from an old thread. Haven't tried it so not sure if it works though

Another good solution is peppermint oil. A few drops where ever you want to keep pests out will do the trick. Because it's so strong you have to use very little. Besides your boat will smell minty fresh when you do decide to use it again.

Dutch

 

[burroak]

Re: Mice in the winter

I plan on finding a stray cat, and placing it in the boat before wrapping it up.
I will provide a large bag of dry food, a litter box, and a big bowl of water.

That'll work if you don't store it in a big city. Do that in Chicago or New York and you will have the biggest, fattest rats picking over a cat carcass.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Mice in the winter

I wonder if some how the opossum was in there when you covered it.
If there was no evidence of it getting in.

I don't think so, not sure how it got in though?

I believe the opossum is a marsupial not a rodent.(has a pouch for brooding the young)

I suppose it is in the same category as a kangeroo, or koala bear, But, It's so ugly, and useless, and how it destroyed my boat, I still consider it a rodent though, "You Dirty Rat!" as James Cagney would say.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Mice in the winter

I plan on finding a stray cat, and placing it in the boat before wrapping it up.
I will provide a large bag of dry food, a litter box, and a big bowl of water.

Stray cats will tear up your upholstery, and nest just as well.

 

[jonewby]

Re: Mice in the winter

I also use moth balls. I put them in old coffee cups so they won't stain anything as they breakdown over winter and duct tape a small piece of nylon window screen over drain. Leftover adhesive is easily removed in the spring with goo gone. Last year, for the first time, I removed all cushons, etc. and stored them inside.

 

[mudmagnet63]

Re: Mice in the winter

I plan on finding a stray cat, and placing it in the boat before wrapping it up.
I will provide a large bag of dry food, a litter box, and a big bowl of water.

I've got a stray running around want me to fed x him to ya?

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: Mice in the winter

I've seen cats do more damage than a mouse ever would.

Moth balls in every orifice of your boat will do the trick. I've seen squirrels do some major damage as well. My next door neighbor was out most of last summer, and came back to a bilge area half full of walnuts.

 

[greg_upnorth]

Re: Mice in the winter

Originally Posted by burroak View Post
Place Bounce fabric softener sheets in the boat and inside the motor cowl. They are very effective and smell better than moth balls.

i just placed 3 fabric softener sheets in my boat after reading this (I am assuming wal-mart brand will work just as good as bounce?) ... One in the bow, one in the main deck area, and one stuffed in back between the jump seat and the motor cowl. should i use more? considering the fact we killed 4 mice in the house during the summer months alone (not to mention the bats) i wanna keep all rodents out!

I've seen squirrels do some major damage as well. My next door neighbor was out most of last summer, and came back to a bilge area half full of walnuts.

speaking of walnuts...i just cleaned out my garage 2 weeks back and already im finding exploded remnants in there (guessing the squirrels were up on the rafters, practicing their bombadiering skills...)

 

[Walleye'nbox]

Re: Mice in the winter

I also use the moth Balls. I get the big moth cakes bout 3 inches around, at walmart or target and put 6 in the boat from front to back. A friend keeps his in his father-in-laws machinery shed and had some mouse damage the first year. After going to the moth cakes, zero problems.

 

[IOSLVR]

Re: Mice in the winter

Are these suggestions for boats that are covered or would this work if mine is in closed storage? Haven't been covering it due to possible mildew problems with the humidity here. Figured the complete storage was good enough but have been wondering about putting it away with the carpet wet.