Storing in Hay Barn

U

UpstNYer

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 30, 2003
Messages
105
The pole barn I'm planning to store my 16' Fisher in this winter holds some hay as well as farm machinery. Rodent damage to tractor wiring has been an issue in the past (wasn't using mothballs). I'm considering the following options:<br />1)Put open containers of mothballs in all compartments, Tape down edges of boat cover with duct tape, Duct tape closed all livewell drains, and store boat in pole barn--low budget approach<br />2)Put mothballs in compartments, Get boat stretch-wrapped at a local boatyard (8.50 per foot!?), duct tape closed all drains, and store boat in pole barn<br />3)Mothballs in compartments, get boat stretch-wrapped and engine winterized at dealer where I bought it, and store outside for free at their facility--let the other guy handle it approach<br /><br />Any other options? Any of the above sure-fire losers? What would you do?<br /><br />Haven't visited all the posts on winterizing. Give me a pointer if this is covered elsewhere.<br />Bob
 
I

ISkiH2O

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 18, 2003
Messages
39
Re: Storing in Hay Barn

Fox urine will keep mice away. You will find it in the hunting supply department of many stores. <br />I put a few drops at each corner of the house/garage and at any point mice might get in.<br />I also put a few drops on cotton balls and place them in the bilge.
 
R

rwise

Captain
Joined
Jul 5, 2001
Messages
3,205
Re: Storing in Hay Barn

for mice or rats I use a product called "One Bite" for the feed store. The place smeels for a while but there are no mice after that! I think I'll check out the fox urine at the sports store... Why kill em when I can just run them back to where they are comming from!<br />Richard
 
L

Larry Carnahan

Seaman
Joined
Apr 30, 2003
Messages
57
Re: Storing in Hay Barn

Duct tape adhesive will dry out and the fabric will separate from it under prolonged storage. It will be difficult to remove the residue. Be careful of using any type of tape. I'd try a shrink wrap kit first.
 
C

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: Storing in Hay Barn

There wont be a day go by that you are not thinking about those rodents eating something and all the duct tape and shrink wrap wont stop them.They can eat through anything and squeeze into anywhere.So option 3 sounds best to me,just do what everyone else does,treat it,wrap it,and leave it outside.Charlie
 
W

wallbanger2

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2003
Messages
80
Re: Storing in Hay Barn

I've tried using mothballs as a rodent repellor and I had no luck at all. The mice came right back that same night and kept on tearing stuff up. (this was in an "attic" that was only 2 feet high.) I used an entire box of them and placed them roughly 1 every 2 square feet. They didn't seem to bother the mice but they sure stunk up the rest of the garage. I ended up putting down bait and glue boards. within 10 days of that I had no more rodent problems.
 
B

BR549

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
87
Re: Storing in Hay Barn

I used to keep my boat in an old hay barn during the winter and before putting a cover on I placed an old paint can half filled with ammonia in the boat. It worked well for me - seemed to keep the spiders and wasps away as well.
 
U

UpstNYer

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 30, 2003
Messages
105
Re: Storing in Hay Barn

Thanks for all the input guys. It IS appreciated. The fox urine idea from ISKI will definitely be tried. My enviro-nut sister even likes that one (she's the family's big-time boater). I've got a quart of fox (or coyote?) pee somewhere...was wondering why I was hanging onto it. <br /><br />May also try BR549's paint can half full of ammonia. I'll have the place stunk up good.<br /><br />The mothball idea came from my neighbors. They had the electronics package in a big John Deere combine destroyed by mice. With mothballs the problem's been minimal.<br /><br />The boat's going to be in storage from Nov. to April. I'm planning to get it wrapped and risk the duct tape for closing up livewell drains, etc. If it'll fit in the barn, that's where it's going.<br /><br />Thanks again.<br />Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top