Controlling Pests on your Boat

Pest animals such as spiders, rodents, insects, and raccoons sometimes infest watercraft. These pests often damage the boat and make it more difficult for you to enjoy your trip. Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can make your vessel less appealing to them. Use this guide from Riva Motorsports Space Coast to help keep pests out of your boat.

A Thorough Clean

Keeping your boat clean will go a long way towards keeping pests out. Many pest animals like to use loose trash and debris to make their nests. In addition, food traces like crumbs or spills left too long on your vessel may leave behind a tiny scent that attracts pests. That’s why no food items should spend more than a week on your boat without being removed. It’s also important to thoroughly clean your vessel after using it for fishing or grilling. 

Use Scented Deterrents

Scent can attract pests to your boat, but it can also be used to repel them. A mixture of ammonia and cayenne pepper applied to your boat’s edges will help keep insects away. Just be sure to keep the mixture away from your eyes, and to reapply it at least once a month. 

Some boat owners use mothballs to deter pests. Mothballs are useful since they can be stored in a number of different ways, such as in your boat’s compartments, in sheets of fabric near the edges, or stuffed into tubes that you hang around the vessel. If you’re worried about larger animals like otters and racoons, use heavily scented soaps or dryer sheets. 

Ultrasonic Sound Devices

Many gardeners use ultrasonic devices as a non-lethal, chemical free way to keep animals away. Different frequencies repel different animals, so do your research if you choose to go this route. The best thing about these ultrasonic devices is that they operate at frequencies beyond human hearing range, so they won’t annoy you. Try to find a solar-powered model if you’re concerned about changing batteries. 

Covers

Pest animals often use boats in storage as a source of shelter. The good news is that a good boat cover can go a long way towards keeping these animals out. Just make sure that the cover completely envelopes your vessel. Pests are great at squeezing into tiny openings. We also recommend checking up on your boat while it’s in storage at least once a month. 

Shop our inventory of boats at Riva Motorsports Space Coast. We’re proud to serve communities like Melbourne and Orlando, Florida. We also offer parts, service, trade-ins, and test rides. Visit us online or at our dealership in Titusville, Florida.