Cast-Away Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 Hi gang. I remember reading here a few weeks ago about alternatives to using moth balls for boat storage. I can't stand the smell of the moth balls and have my boat stored in a barn. I need some alternative suggestions to keep Uncle Nester out of my boat! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 i have heard (and read on the internet so it must be true) that peppermint oil keeps them away. ie. dab cotton balls in it. cannot attest to the effectiveness of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 I've never had a rodent problem with the boat but I think that if I were to store my boat through the winter in a barn or unheated garage, rather than throw a bunch of traps, chemicals in there, I'd try leaving the boat uncovered and with all the hatches open. My reasoning is that a pest will always find its way into the boat no matter how secure the cover might be. If the boat is wide open, the intruder is offered no protection while it does its damage. What do you think? Could that work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 last winter my boat was in my driveway in the city... mice made it into my floatation and got to the wires for my lights and pumps... im gunna try moth balls as well as bounce sheets... ive been told be people that store campers that they place bounce sheets EVERYWHERE... and in the spring it smells like fresh laundry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oggie Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 What about mouse seed? If they don't show up it's easy to remove in the spring and if they do, well there dead in no time. Won't help though if it's shrews or voles that move in. Dan O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 (edited) Someone on the board mentioned those little ultra high frequency things that scare the mice away. I bought a couple for the house 2 weeks ago, and have not seen a mouse since. Up to then, i was trapping 1 a day. Walmart sells them 2 for 18 bucks. EDITED TO SAY just plug one into an extension cord and leave on, in boat all winter. Edited November 24, 2011 by mercman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooner_jr Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 I've heard that cloves will keep mice away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 I have been storring equipment like my two combines which mice just love and can make one hec of a mess if they get into the wiring , our campers , and a few motor homes over the years with perfect success . I don't like the smell of the moth balls either , all thease things have gotten stored under a roof of a building i have that has the four sides open , for years now i'v been placing the moth ball all around on the floor underneth them instead off in them , its been working for me realy well so far , it takes most of the winter before the moth balls desovle and its easy to thro out more if you think it needs it ....... The machinery dealer was always impressed with my trade in's over the years as they show no signs of mice ever in them , What else can i say ........ it works best that way for us ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 I've heard bounce works really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 Fill your boat with half staved cats and you won't have a mouse problem. You'll have a cat problem but no mouse problem!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Rodents hate fire as well. I was told by an old local to put an open bag of charcoal inside the boat and it also absorbs moisture that can build up in the boat. Rob C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Rodents hate fire as well. I was told by an old local to put an open bag of charcoal inside the boat and it also absorbs moisture that can build up in the boat. Rob C Thats why you never see mice and rats in burned out, abandoned buildings. I think its the flames and smoke they dont like,not the briquettes. Just sayin' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Fill your boat with half staved cats and you won't have a mouse problem. You'll have a cat problem but no mouse problem!!! For a minute, i thought i read "SHAVED" cats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 For a minute, i thought i read "SHAVED" cats Guess I missed an R in there somewhere. But 1/2 shaved cats would be funny too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Guess I missed an R in there somewhere. But 1/2 shaved cats would be funny too!!! Which half do you shave, the top 1/2 or the bottom 1/2? Cause i know someone out there is gonna wanna know this for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Which half do you shave, the top 1/2 or the bottom 1/2? Cause i know someone out there is gonna wanna know this for sure. The back 1/2!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Paul i think it would depend on the look your after , hi boy or low rider ........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Moth balls are tried and true - they do the job, smell doesn't take long to go away. Bounce sheets lose their smell after awhile - Irishfield used them in his boat last year and the little buggers tore 'em up and used them for bedding. He did have a post on here about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 After you experience the damage mice can do to your boat, you will love the smell of moth balls.....BTW the smell goes away quite fast once you air out the vessel. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 I'm another fan of mothballs, been using them for years and have never had a critter in the boat, not even all the years my boats wintered in a barn. And as mentioned, the smell goes away very fast when the boat is uncovered to the fresh air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 You put them in the boat LEW or on the ground ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 You put them in the boat LEW or on the ground ? Right in the boat Skip, a bowl full in front and another in the back. Cover the boat for the winter and your good to go. Been working well for me for alot of years anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 But don't forget to put some under the motor cover....LOTS of wires there to chew on for them little buggers....last thing you want is a onboard fire while miles out in the middle of Lake Erie or wherever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 I found way back when that the smell stayed in things longer then i liked and switched to doing some thing else , then we had a real problem with mice and rodents , so i went back to the moth ball thing and placed them underneth every thing instead of inside and we have'nt had any problems ever again . Its funny the first time i done this , days later i went back to check how things were working , i could see where the coons had tryed to come back but their tracs never crossed over into the moth balls that were spread around on the ground in the sand . We have'nt had a problem ever since . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Heres one more then i am out of here , three of those small white box's of moth balls make a real good coating on the floor in an area of 40x40 feet . Have fun every one .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now