How to Keep Pests Off of Your Boat

As a boat owner, you’re probably familiar with routine maintenance tasks such as oil changes, hull cleaning, and replacing bulbs. But there’s another task that you may find yourself confronted with, particularly after your boat has been in storage for any length of time: pest infestation.

Rats, mice, insects, birds, and even marine mammals can climb up on your boat at any time and try to claim it as their own. Here’s how to keep your boat from turning into a veritable floating zoo.

Keep It Clean

Obviously, one of the best ways to keep pests off your boat is to reduce any temptation they might have to board it. Food odors, sticky spills, or odorous livewells and baitwells are all potential sources of scents that might lure bugs or rodents into your vessel. Make sure that you clean all surfaces of your boat, inside and out, and that you remove trash, recycling, food, and drinks from the boat when you store it.

Try Some Deterrent Scents

You can also add some scents that will put off these pests. Mothballs are very strong-smelling and can deter more creatures than just moths; many types of insects and even rodents don’t like this heavy odor. You could also hang up scented dryer sheets or even keep a bar of a perfumed soap like Irish Spring in an open container (so that it doesn’t melt everywhere in the heat) to further deter pests, with the added advantage of making your boat smell great.

Cover & Store Securely

Finally, if you leave your boat uncovered outside, you’re much more likely to find evidence of pests in it upon your return. Invest in a snug-fitting boat cover and use it, as this will make it harder for pests to get inside. Also, try storing your boat in a garage, shed, or storage facility so that pests have a harder time accessing it.

When you’re ready to shop for a new or used boat for sale, visit one of our dealership locations in Crystal River or Leesburg, FL. Nobles' Marine is proud to serve all of our Florida customers.