Pest Control on Your Boat

As one of the largest investments you’ve made, you probably want to keep your boat as clean and undamaged as possible. If you end up storing your boat for any length of time, though, you may experience a pest infestation. Whether it’s insects, mice, rats, birds or even seals, you don’t want these creatures turning your beloved vessel into their new home and restaurant. Here are some ways you can prevent pests from sneaking onto your boat and turning it upside-down.

1. Keep Things Clean

The biggest draw for any pest is a reliable source of food. Insects and rodents are very good at sniffing out delicious crumbs and sugary liquids, so make sure that you never leave any food residue or spills on your boat. Clean up messes promptly and remove all traces of food before you store your boat. To prevent seals or birds from climbing aboard your fishing boat, you’ll have to thoroughly scrub your livewells and baitwells to remove all smells of fish that could tempt them to come in.

2. Cover Your Craft

An uncovered boat is not only vulnerable to weather damage or theft, but it’s also extremely vulnerable to pest infestations. Rats and birds can easily access a boat that’s completely open, so invest in a sturdy and snug-fitting boat cover to keep your craft protected and reduce entry points. Insects may still get in, but you can keep some of the bigger animals out just with a cover.

3. Deter With Scents

A lot of creatures do not like strong, heady smells, so if you put these on your boat, you’re likely to fix your pest problem. Some people use a spray made of ammonia and cayenne pepper, but this is rather caustic and dangerous to humans as well. Mothballs are a good strategy to prevent insects, while dryer sheets or heavy scented bars of soap can keep out other animals.

We hope these tips help your boat to stay infestation-free. However, if you’ve got some damage due to pests, contact the Club Royale service department to discuss repair options with our team. Stop by our dealership in Waterford, MI, to take a look at our wide stock of new and used boats for sale. Club Royale serves our Michigan customers in and around Rochester.